A 30-year-old suspected high-tension cable vandal, identified as Alkama Mohammed, was electrocuted on Thursday morning while attempting to tamper with electricity infrastructure near Matrix Filling Station in Calabar.
The incident occurred around 5:10 a.m. as Mohammed allegedly tried to cut a high-tension cable belonging to the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC). His lifeless body was later found beneath a concrete electric pole near an uncompleted building in the area.
Police confirmed the death, noting visible burns and injuries consistent with electrocution, particularly on the left wrist and lower abdomen. Officials believe he fell from the pole after being electrocuted.
ASP Sunday Eitokpah, Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command, said the Divisional Police Officer of the Federal Housing Division received a distress report and immediately dispatched officers to the scene.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased was vandalising high-tension electric cables when he was electrocuted,” Eitokpah stated. The suspect, an indigene of Kwade Village in Quanpan Local Government Area of Plateau State, was found alongside an iron saw blade suspected to have been used for the act.
Health workers from the Calabar Municipal Local Government Area were contacted promptly, and necessary procedures were carried out while investigations continue.
The police command warned the public against vandalism and other criminal activities that endanger lives and critical infrastructure.
