By Owen Eresoyen, Benin
In a tragic incident along Airport Road, Benin City, a middle-aged man has lost his life yesterday while attempting to vandalize the BEDC Electricity Plc’s transformer.
The unidentified individual had managed to severe some cables before being fatally electrocuted.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, drew the attention of bystanders who were shocked by the scene unfolding before them.
Passers-by were drawn to the scene while expressing anger towards the deceased for causing persistent power outages in the area.
A resident of the area, Mr. Emmanuel, also known as James Bond 007, attributed the tragic outcome to a ‘get-rich-quick’ mentality of the youths.
He emphasized the importance of diligence in wealth acquisition, urging youths to pursue legitimate means of earning a living to avoid such untimely deaths.
Mrs. Evelyn Gbiwen, the Acting Head of Corporate Communications at BEDC Electricity Plc while reacting to the incident said this underscores the dangers of energy theft and vandalism.
Nigerian Pilot reports that despite repeated warnings from BEDC, such acts persist leaving communities in darkness and posing significant hazards to both individuals and infrastructure.
She lamented the recurring incidents of sabotage within the company’s operational areas across Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states.
Mrs. Gbiwen appealed to residents to remain vigilant and assist in safeguarding BEDC’s facilities against vandals, emphasizing the collective responsibility to ensure uninterrupted power supply for all.
