A yet-to-be identified man has been found dead while allegedly stealing from a transformer in Obukpa community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The young man was suspected to have been severely electrocuted in the wee hours while removing armored cable from the transformer located close to Obukpa Primary School in the community.
Residents said the transformer was recently installed for the community by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.
Sources in the community told The Point that the deceased came with a vehicle and that his gang members came with him to the scene of the theft.
“I heard that our transformer sparked at night and immediately, the light went off. So, I thought it was the usual electrical fault from the power company.
“We were shocked when we woke up to behold a man who had been burnt beside the transformer. We searched around and discovered that he did not come alone. We saw a mini bus of which we suspect that his gang members would have left him behind and ran for their lives the moment he was electrocuted,” a resident identified as Oluebube said.
Also speaking, another resident, Faith Ogbonna, explained that, “We heard when the transformer sparked and immediately, there was lightning. People started bringing their switch down including myself.
Later, people living close to the transformer saw him lying dead inside the transformer.”
She decried incessant stealing of transformer parts in the neighbourhood.
“No one pitied the thief when they saw him lying lifeless because this is not the first time we are hearing about the disappearance of transformer cables and other vital parts in Obukpa.
“These saboteurs come to our community to sabotage our welfare because after stealing these things, they throw us into darkness before we start contributing money to replace whatever they might have carted away. But, nemesis caught up with him that night,” Ogbonna stated.
