Two suspected electric cable thieves have been electrocuted in Uyo, the state capital and adjoining Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom.
The two persons were electrocuted while trying to steal power installations at the two locations, LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered on Friday.
One of the incidents occurred at Mbierebe Obio community in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, and another, along the newly constructed Ring Road 3, linking Nung Oku and Oron Road.
Speaking to our correspondent, a resident, Otobong Ikpong said, “We woke up early this morning to discover the lifeless object trapped to the high-tension pole. He left his rubber sandals at the foot of the pole while climbing with his instrument to cut the cables.
“I think he took the risk because for some time now, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) had denied us power in this community because of activities of vandals.
“So, this object hanging here with head downward is one of those cable thieves who always cash in on absence of electricity in this area to steal electric wires and cables for sale to scrap dealers.”
When asked about the identity of the deceased, he added that, though the power explosion had burnt him beyond recognition, but from his slippers left at the foot of the high-tension pole, some of people identified him with his nickname, “Important,” a one-eye man from Mbiabong area of Uyo.
Police operatives and residents kept vigil for the PHEDC team to arrive and retrieve the corpse.
An eyewitness told Straightnews that PHED came after four hours Friday morning to remove the charred body that was hanging on the electric pole.
In the same vein, a young man died of multiple electric shocks, while trying to vandalise power infrastructure at Mbierebe Obio community in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.
Tragedy struck the early hours of Friday at about 4:30 a.m, while the deceased was trying to vandalise electric cables..
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Waheed Ayilara, lamented the activities of syndicate from the neighbouring Abia State specialising in vandalising electricity installations with the aid of local Akwa Ibom criminals.
CP Ayilara listed some affected LGAs contiguous to the Abia States to include Ika, Etim Ekpo and Oruk Anam where interstate crimes, especially vandalisation of electricity infrastructure has been rampant in recent times.
Such suspected criminals, who were apprehended recently, he said, would soon have their days in court.
However, the state Police Liaison Officer, ASP Timfon John, has confirmed to Straightnews that she saw an electrocuted young man hanging on the electric pole two days, though she was yet to confirm the second one.
