By Peter Duru

A middle-aged man has been electrocuted while trying to vandalise a Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JED, electricity transformer and cables installed near Queens Hotel, Ankpa Ward in Makurdi.

It was gathered that the young man whose lifeless body was found between the upriser polls mounted by the transformer was killed while trying to vandalise the installation.

A resident in the area who identified himself as Edoga said the vandal had gone to the transformer at about 4am Tuesday when there was power outage in the area.

He said, “there was no light in the neighbourhood and this morning some houses had light and worried residents who thought there could be problem with the power transformer serving part of the community went there only to discover the lifeless body of a young man who had vandalised the transformer and armoured cables were littered around.

“We realised that he was vandalising the installation when there was power outage and suddenly there was restoration of power and he could not escape death.

“We immediately drew the attention of the Police at the “D” Division to the matter and they came and evacuate the body.”

When contacted, the Head, Corporate Communications, JED, Dr. Adakole Elijah who confirmed the development, said the vandal was found electrocuted at the early hours of Tuesday at DMTV Substation, Naka Road, Makurdi.

He lamented that “this is the second time in the last 20 to 30 days that vandals were electrocuted in Makurdi. And it is obviously impossible for JED to singlehandedly protect our installations.”

“That is why we are advising and pleading with communities to take ownership of electricity facilities in their areas because the facilities serve them.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene confirmed the development.