A middle-age man, yesterday, in a tragic incident along the Airport Road, Benin City, lost his life while attempting to vandalise a BEDC Electricity Plc’s transformer.
The unidentified man had managed to sever some cables before being fatally electrocuted. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, drew the attention of bystanders who were shocked by what they saw at the scene. Passers-by, who were drawn to the scene, expressed anger towards the deceased for causing persistent power outages in the area. It was a grim confirmation of their suspicions as the thief met his death.
A resident of the area, Mr. Emmanuel, also known as James Bond 007, attributed the tragic outcome to a ‘get-rich-quick’ mentality of the youths. He emphasised the importance of diligence in wealth acquisition, urging youths to pursue legitimate means of earning a living, to avoid such untimely death.
The incident underscored the dangers of energy theft and vandalism, as highlighted by the Acting Head, Corporate Communications of BEDC Electricity Plc, Mrs. Evelyn Gbiwen. She lamented the recurring incidents of sabotage within the company’s operational areas across Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states.
Despite repeated warnings from the company, such acts persist, leaving communities in darkness and posing significant hazards to both individuals and infrastructure. Mrs. Gbiwen appealed to residents to remain vigilant and assist in safeguarding BEDC’s facilities against vandals, emphasising the collective responsibility to ensure uninterrupted power supply for all.
