Transformer Cable Thief Escapes Death After Electrocution

An alleged vandal who was electrocuted while reportedly vandalising a transformer in the Rayfield neighbourhood of Jos, Plateau State, narrowly spared death.

The suspect was apprehended in the early hours of Friday, June 23, 2023.

The event was confirmed by a local citizen on Facebook, Mathew Gonsor Gonet, who also claimed that the suspect and his crew have a history of vandalising transformers throughout the city.

“One of the transformer oil thieves in Jos was caught red-handed. This guy and his gang are responsible for the darkness in many parts of Jos,” he wrote.

One Joy Umar Ret provided additional information about the incident, stating that Rayfied and other localities had been without power for a month as a result of cable thieves damaging transformers.

On Thursday evening, June 22, the armoured cables were changed, and electricity was soon restored to the region.

The vandal arrived at around two in the morning on Friday to complete another task, but he was unsuccessful.

She claims that the perpetrator was electrocuted while committing the crime but was saved by security personnel who arrived on the site after spotting sparks coming from the transformer.

“In my area, we haven’t had light for the past month cause of theft. During the weekend, the transformer was repaired but during the repair process, it was discovered again that the thieves came back to steal the armored cables so it had to be bought. Through all these, our area, Rayfield road/little Rayfield got light at about 4:30 pm yesterday Thursday the 22nd of June 2023,” she wrote.

“Today Friday the 23rd we woke to the sight of another transformer thief. Baba came at about 2 am to carry out another mission only to run out of luck this time. He fell into the transformer fence and got electrocuted by the lights. It was in the process of his electrocution that the security guards of houses around heard and sighted the sparks of lights from the transformer house. Then the thief was rescued and caught.”