The body of a yet-to-be-identified man who was electrocuted while attempting to vandalise a transformer on the premises of the Borno State University, Maiduguri, the state capital, has been evacuated by the police.
This is coming on the heels of repeated warnings against the vandalism of electrical installations across the country.
PUNCH Metro learnt in a statement on Sunday by the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Daso, that the body was discovered in the early hours of the day.
According to the PPRO, preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was electrocuted while attempting to vandalise the electrical installations.
Daso noted that the police, in collaboration with the state fire service, evacuated the body from the scene, adding that an investigation had commenced into the incident.
He stated, “The Borno State Police Command wishes to inform the public that today, 7/9/2025, the body of an unidentified male was discovered near a transformer in Borno State University, Maiduguri.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was electrocuted in an attempt to vandalise electrical installations.
“The command has since commenced a full investigation into the incident, while the body, in collaboration with the Borno State Fire Service, has been evacuated to the hospital for proper medical procedures.”
He stressed the command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, but warned residents against acts of vandalism.
“The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, once again warns criminal elements to desist from acts of vandalism and sabotage, as such endangers lives and compromises public safety.
“The command reassures the good people of Borno State of its commitment to protecting lives and property and urges residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements around public infrastructure to the nearest police station,” Daso concluded.
Despite the Federal Government’s continuous sensitisation against vandalism, there seems to be no end in sight.
In January, an unidentified man was electrocuted while attempting to vandalise a transformer in the Akute area of Ogun State.
The spokesman for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, had stated that the deceased climbed into the transformer house and, while attempting to cut a wire, got electrocuted and died.
In a similar incident within the same month, a suspected vandal was electrocuted while attempting to steal electricity infrastructure belonging to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company in the Asokoro area of the Federal Capital Territory.
The FCT Police Command had stated that officers had recovered the suspect’s lifeless body near step-down electricity lines at Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro, on Wednesday, January 30, 2025.
However, the Transmission Company of Nigeria has continued to sensitise the public about the dangers of vandalism, especially to the perpetrators and the communities alike.