By Ayomide Otitoju
A man identified as Wale from Owode Igbona, Osogbo, was electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal electrical cables from a transformer in the Zone B area of Surulere Estate, Ede South Local Government Area of Osun State.
According to members of the community’s Technical Committee, Wale had reportedly climbed the transformer to disconnect the up-riser cable and other incoming wires when electricity was suddenly restored to the line. The unexpected surge left him severely injured at the scene.
Community residents quickly alerted the authorities, and officers from the Oke Iresi Police Station in Ede took the suspect into custody.
Chairman of the Zone B Community, Dr. BMG Amosa, confirmed the incident, stating it reflected the growing concern over vandalism in the area. He emphasized the risks associated with tampering with public infrastructure and urged others to learn from the incident.
“While this is an unfortunate event, it also serves as a clear warning about the dangers of interfering with critical infrastructure,” Amosa said. “We are fully committed to protecting community resources and ensuring the safety of our residents.”
Reacting to the incident, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Osun Region, condemned the act of vandalism, warning that such actions could have fatal consequences. The utility company praised the vigilance of the local residents and urged the public to remain alert and proactive.
“Vandalism endangers lives, compromises public safety, and disrupts power supply to entire communities,” IBEDC stated. “We commend the swift action of the residents and encourage all citizens to report suspicious activities, including energy theft, meter tampering, and cable vandalism.”
The company added that public cooperation is essential to safeguarding electricity infrastructure and ensuring stable and reliable service delivery across the state.
As the investigation continues, authorities have yet to confirm whether charges will be filed against the suspect, who remains in police custody.
