In the early hours of Wednesday, May 29, 2024, a man was tragically electrocuted while attempting to steal an armoured cable from a transformer in the Mgboaba/NTA area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State. The incident occurred around 3 am when power was unexpectedly restored to the transformer.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise coming from the transformer, initially mistaking it for a routine sound. However, the true cause of the noise became apparent later in the morning. One witness, who spoke to Punch, described the scene, “It was around 3 am when the transformer sparked with a loud sound. We thought it was the normal sound we hear sometimes. But in the morning, when I was going to work, we heard that somebody who went to cut an armoured cable died inside the transformer. So, personally, I and some people went there, and we saw the dead body. All his body was burnt like charcoal.”
Another local resident, Chika, identified the deceased man as someone known in the area who used to sell water to the community. This revelation added a personal dimension to the tragedy, as the man was not a complete stranger but someone familiar to many in the neighborhood.
Following the discovery of the body, residents quickly notified the police and officials from the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company. The authorities arrived promptly and removed the charred remains from the transformer site.
The incident has raised significant concerns among the local community about the dangers of tampering with electrical infrastructure. This tragic event underscores the lethal risks associated with such activities, particularly when power is unexpectedly restored. It also highlights the broader issue of vandalism and theft of public utilities, which not only endangers lives but also disrupts essential services for the entire community.
Victoria Ibiama
