Hendrix Oliomogbe
A middle-aged man was electrocuted in the early hours of Tuesday while attempting to steal an armour cable belonging to Benin City Electricity Electricity Company (BEDC) along Airport Road.
Scores of angry city residents gathered at the scene by Benoni Street junction to take a look at the gory sight, which was blackened by the effect of electric current.
The unidentified individual, who was thrown off balance had succeeded in cutting off some cables before the fatal electrocution.
The onlookers, some living in the neighborhood, expressed anger towards the deceased for causing persistent power outages in the area, due to the serial stealing of cables in the area.
A resident of the upscale neighborhood explained that the suspected vandal had wanted to capitalize on the power outage to perpetuate the crime but however met his response when power was suddenly restored by the electricity company.
Another resident, Mr. Emmanuel, popularly called James Bond 007, attributed the tragic outcome to a ‘get-rich-quick’ mentality of the youths.
007 emphasized the importance of diligence in wealth acquisition, urging youths to pursue legitimate means of earning a living to avoid such untimely deaths.
The incident underscored the dangers of energy theft and vandalism, as highlighted by Mrs. Evelyn Gbiwen, the Acting Head of Corporate Communications at BEDC Electricity Plc.
Mrs. Gbiwen lamented the recurring incidents of sabotage within the company’s operational areas across Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states.
The spokesperson lamented: “Despite repeated warnings from the company, such acts persist, leaving communities in darkness and posing significant hazards to both individuals and infrastructure.”
Mrs. Gbiwen appealed to residents to remain vigilant and assist in safeguarding BEDC’s facilities against vandals, noting that it is the collective responsibility of the citizens to ensure uninterrupted power supply for all.
*Culled: Concord Online News
