THE Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old suspected transformer vandal, Nnaji Chidiebere, after he was allegedly electrocuted while attempting to vandalise a transformer at Obollo-Afor in Udenu Local Government Area of the state.
Chidiebere was reportedly found unconscious with various degrees of burns inside the transformer along Ugbaike Road, Obollo-Afor, at about 2:20 p.m. on Monday, August 17.
The incident followed information provided by members of the community, who alerted the police after discovering the suspect trapped inside the transformer.
Suspect Resuscitated, Hospitalised
Following the report, operatives of the Udenu Police Division promptly mobilised to the scene and evacuated the suspect to a nearby hospital, where he was resuscitated before being referred to a specialist hospital for further treatment.
The police said the suspect, after regaining consciousness, identified himself as Nnaji Chidiebere and claimed that he had been alone at the scene.
However, preliminary investigations have allegedly linked him to transformer vandalism in the area.
The command said further investigation was ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities, identify possible accomplices and bring those involved to justice.
Police Commend Community Vigilance
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended members of the community for promptly alerting the police, saying their intervention enabled the operatives to respond quickly, rescue and arrest the suspect.
Giwa reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting critical public infrastructure across the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information on suspicious activities in their communities.
The police said such community cooperation remained crucial to preventing vandalism and other crimes targeting public infrastructure.
Vandalism of Critical Infrastructure a Growing Concern
The incident highlights the growing problem of vandalism of critical public infrastructure in Nigeria, particularly electricity transformers and power lines. Such vandalism often results in power outages, economic losses, and significant costs to electricity distribution companies and the government.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that vandalism of public infrastructure is a serious offence that attracts severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.
The Enugu State Police Command has urged residents to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency lines, assuring the public that all information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
