An unidentified man trying to steal cable from a transformer in the Mgboaba/NTA axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State ended in tragedy as he was electrocuted.
The incident occurred at about 3 am on Thursday near a popular Pentecostal Church when there was a blackout. However, the man was trapped when the power supply was restored, resulting in his electrocution.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as gruesome, with the man’s body severely burnt and turning black. “It was around 3 am when the transformer sparked with a loud sound. We thought it was the normal sound we hear sometimes,” said one eyewitness.
Another eyewitness, Chika, revealed that the deceased was a familiar face in the area, known for selling water to residents. “He used to sell water to people around this area,” Chika said.
The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, promised to investigate the incident and provide further information, but was yet to do so as of press time.
This incident serves as a stark warning about the dangers of cable theft and the importance of prioritizing safety.
