Tragedy in Awka: Suspected Vandal Electrocuted During Transformer Attack

 

​A grim incident unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday, February 24, 2026, as a suspected power infrastructure vandal met a tragic end in Awka, the Anambra State capital. The individual, who remains unidentified, was electrocuted while allegedly attempting to tamper with a transformer substation belonging to FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited (FPEDL). This shocking event occurred on Ogechukwu Street and has once again raised alarms regarding the severe risks and consequences of energy theft and infrastructure vandalism in Nigeria.

​The Incident at Ogechukwu Street

​Residents of Ogechukwu Street were jolted awake by a heavy explosion emanating from a nearby transformer substation. According to official reports from FirstPower management, the blast was the direct result of unlawful interference with the electricity network.

​Upon inspection by utility personnel and security operatives, the lifeless body of a man was discovered on the floor of the substation. In a bizarre twist, the suspect was reportedly dressed in a security uniform, potentially a tactic used to evade suspicion while carrying out the illicit act. Medical assessments confirmed that the individual died instantly from high-voltage electrocution during the process of cutting through armored cables.

​FirstPower Management Reacts

​In a press statement issued by the Head of Communications for FirstPower, Mr. Izunna Okafor, the company confirmed the fatality and expressed regret over the unnecessary loss of life. However, the Managing Director of FPEDL, Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, was firm in his condemnation of the act, describing it as a major setback for the state’s power stability.

​"Beyond the significant financial losses and service disruptions caused by such criminal activities, they also endanger the lives of perpetrators and innocent members of the public," the MD stated.

​The company emphasized that vandalism continues to undermine their efforts to provide a steady and reliable electricity supply to customers across Anambra State. The costs of replacing damaged transformers and stolen cables often run into millions of naira, placing an unfair burden on the utility provider and the law-abiding community.

​Police Investigation and Community Safety

​The Anambra State Police Command was promptly notified of the incident. Officers arrived at the scene to evacuate the corpse and have since launched a comprehensive investigation to determine if the deceased was part of a larger syndicate operating within the Awka metropolis.

​Law enforcement agencies and FirstPower officials have used this medium to issue a stern warning to those engaging in energy theft. They reiterated that electricity installations are high-risk zones and that unauthorized access is not only a criminal offense but a potential death sentence.

​A Collective Responsibility: Protecting Power Assets

​Vandalism doesn't just affect the utility company; it plunges entire neighborhoods into darkness, often for weeks or months, while repairs are being made. To combat this, the management of FirstPower is appealing to:

• ​Residents: To remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement around transformers, especially during late-night hours.
• ​Community Leaders: To strengthen local vigilante groups to monitor public assets.
• ​The Public: To use the company's dedicated WhatsApp line (08161652465) or contact the nearest security agency to report energy theft.

​The death in Awka serves as a chilling reminder that the price of stolen copper or cables can sometimes be one's own life.