A suspected cable vandal has died after being electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal electricity cables from the Etete Injection Substation in Benin City, Edo State.
The incident occurred on Monday night after the suspect reportedly returned to the facility with others following an earlier theft of copper cables. Police officers from the Etete Division later recovered the body from the substation.
Officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) said the substation, which receives electricity from the national transmission grid and distributes power to consumers, sustained damage during the attempted theft.
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According to the company’s Head of Branding and Corporate Communications, Evelyn Gbiwen, the suspects had previously invaded the facility and carted away copper cables before returning for another operation.
She explained that the deceased was electrocuted after mistakenly cutting what he believed was an earthing cable, which was actually a live neutral cable connected to a power transformer, causing an electrical explosion.
Gbiwen urged residents living near electricity facilities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, warning that vandalism of power infrastructure continues to disrupt electricity supply and inflict heavy financial losses on the company.
Also speaking, BEDC’s Regional Head, Technical, Benin South Region, Afebogbe Oguezor, said preliminary findings suggested the suspects gained access by scaling the perimeter fence despite existing security measures.
He added that the company is considering reinforcing the fence with barbed wire and other security improvements to prevent future attacks while investigations into the incident continue.
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