A man suspected to be a cable thief was found electrocuted in the early hours of Thursday in Owerri.
The remains of the man were discovered by passersby along Akanchawa/Achike Udenwa Road in New Owerri with the tools he brought to vandalise the transformer supplying power to residents of the area.
Power Holding Company of Nigeria Public Relations Officer in Owerri, Osita Ugwuafor, who confirmed the incident, said a similar incident happened in August 2011 in the area.
“The victim jumped into the fence surrounding the transformer with the intention of vandalising it and got electrocuted. He was found dead this morning with his tools beside him.
“We had a similar situation in August 2011, when a vandal was electrocuted as he tried to loot the transformer,” he said.
Mr. Charles Nkworji, a resident, said that cases of stealing of electric cables supplying power to the area were rampant.
He said that the residents were always levied by PHCN to pay for cables that were stolen.
“We had even begun to suspect NEPA officials because once in a while, we will be without electricity and they (PHCN) will tell us the cables have been stolen.
“So we are glad today that one of the culprits has been caught in his own trap. We hope that this will be a lesson to other thieves like him,” Nkworji said.