Man electrocuted in attempt to steal transformer cable in Osun
Oredola Adeola
An unfortunate electricity cable thief was electrocuted on Monday during a failed attempt to steal a transformer cable, at Kolade Estate, Onward Golf area in Osogbo, Osun State capital.
EnergyDay gathered through eye-witness that the suspect got electrocuted while trying to cut the three armored cables in the transformer but unexpectedly met his untimely death when Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company(IBEDC) restored electricity to the area.
Ms Busolami Tunwase, Team Lead Media for IBEDC, in a conversation with EnergyDay confirmed that the incident happened in one of the DisCos distribution facilities in Osogbo, Osun state.
The IBEDC spokesperson said, “It is true that the incident happened. We are still carrying out some further investigations on the matter. Meanwhile, we have informed the police about this incident and additional information would be shared when available.”
Engr. John Ayodele, IBEDC Chief Operating Officer (COO), had in a recent statement obtained by EnergyDay, bemoaned the huge losses associated with vandalism and energy theft, noting that the activities of the criminals have “incapacitated” the DisCo and have further disrupted power supply to several businesses operating within its franchise.
According to Engr. Ayodele IBEDC loses more than N50 million monthly to vandals through stolen cables, damaged transformers, and other network infrastructure.
”The damage to our distribution infrastructure translates to the loss of economic power and it also means that the livelihood of those affected may have been grossly disrupted, as we are incapacitated by the stolen cables to meet the supply-demand equation
And this is just one of the various instances of the nefarious activities of vandals within our franchise,” he said.
While urging its customers to be sensitive to the activities of the saboteurs by guarding electrical installations within their environments, he noted that the IBEDC will not respond to calls by any community for the replacement of vandalized installations.
He said, “We implore all residents and customers to report any act suspected to be vandalism to the nearest Police Station, Civil Defence, and the Department of State Service.
“IBEDC does not operate late nights and all activities that occur after 8 pm should be suspected and reported accordingly”, he noted.
