A suspected cable vandal has been electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal a high-tension electricity cable along the Ringim–Sintilimawa Road in Jigawa State.
The Jigawa State Police Command confirmed the incident on Sunday, saying the unidentified suspect died after reportedly coming into contact with a live high-voltage cable during the failed operation.
The incident comes weeks after suspected vandals reportedly overpowered security guards and stole about 12 metres of armoured cable from a transformer serving the Government Unity School in Ringim, disrupting electricity supply to the facility.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam, said the command received a distress call at about 9 a.m. on Thursday that a lifeless body was found beside the Ringim–Sintilimawa Road.
“Upon receipt of the report, a patrol team from Ringim Division immediately mobilised to the scene where the body was discovered,” Adam said.
According to him, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased sustained severe burns on both hands, the chest and pelvic region, indicating that he was electrocuted while allegedly attempting to tamper with the high-tension electricity cable.
“It was observed that there were burns on both hands, the chest and the pelvic area of the body. Hand gloves, a hacksaw and some sacks believed to have been used for the operation were recovered at the scene,” he said.
Adam said investigators strongly suspected that the deceased was electrocuted while attempting to vandalise the electricity installation.
“It is suspected that the person was electrocuted while trying to vandalise the electric cable. The body was evacuated to the hospital where a medical doctor confirmed him dead,” he added.
The police spokesman said efforts were ongoing to establish the identity of the deceased while detectives continued investigations to determine whether he acted alone or belonged to a criminal syndicate.
“Efforts are ongoing to identify the deceased and determine whether he acted alone or as part of a syndicate. The case remains under investigation,” he said.
Adam warned residents against vandalising public infrastructure, stressing that such criminal acts endanger lives and disrupt essential services.
“The Command urges members of the public to desist from tampering with electrical installations and other public assets. Residents should promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station,” he said.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting critical public infrastructure across the state.
“The Jigawa State Police Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and public property and will ensure anyone found culpable in acts of vandalism is prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Adam stated.
Some residents of the area described the incident as another reminder of the dangers associated with vandalising public facilities.
A trader, Mallam Lawal, said residents heard unusual sounds before security personnel arrived at the scene.
“We later saw police officers around the area. It is unfortunate because vandalism is worsening the electricity challenges facing our communities,” he said.
Another resident, Haruna Illa, who was on his way to his farm, said the tools recovered at the scene suggested the deceased intended to cut the cable.
“I saw the body and some tools on the ground. People around said he was trying to cut the cable before he got electrocuted,” he said.
A commercial driver, Ibrahim Danladi, lamented the impact of repeated attacks on electricity infrastructure.
“We have been experiencing frequent power outages. These vandals are not only risking their own lives but also destroying facilities meant to serve entire communities,” he said.
West Trybe reports that vandalism of electricity infrastructure has remained a major challenge in many parts of Nigeria, disrupting power supply, increasing maintenance costs and affecting businesses and livelihoods, while security agencies continue to intensify efforts to protect critical public assets and curb the activities of criminal syndicates.
