A suspected vandal was electrocuted while attempting to tamper with a transformer at Borno State University, Maiduguri, prompting a police investigation
A suspected vandal lost his life in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, after allegedly attempting to tamper with a high-voltage transformer located within the premises of Borno State University.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 7, 2025, and drew attention from both university security and law enforcement authorities.
According to eyewitnesses, the unidentified man’s lifeless body was discovered lying near the transformer by security operatives conducting routine checks on campus.
Alarmed by the sight, the university security personnel quickly alerted the Borno State Police Command, which immediately dispatched operatives to the scene.
Confirming the development in a statement issued later in the day, the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, revealed that initial investigations pointed to electrocution as the cause of death.
He explained that the deceased had attempted to vandalize and possibly steal electrical components when he was fatally electrocuted.
“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 vandalize electrical installations,” the statement partly read.
ASP Daso further disclosed that the police, in collaboration with personnel from the Borno State Fire Service, evacuated the corpse to a hospital for proper medical examination and procedures.
He also confirmed that a full-scale investigation has been launched to ascertain whether the deceased acted alone or as part of a wider criminal network targeting public infrastructure.
Reacting to the incident, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, issued a stern warning to individuals engaging in vandalism, stressing that such acts not only amount to sabotage but also pose serious risks to life and public safety.
He said: “Tampering with critical power installations is not only a criminal offence but also an extremely dangerous act that often leads to fatal consequences.
“The command will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone caught in such acts of sabotage.”
Reassuring the public, the police command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property in Borno State.
It urged residents to remain security-conscious and to promptly report suspicious activities, especially around vital public utilities such as transformers, pipelines, and telecommunications equipment.
To encourage swift responses to emergencies, the police provided two emergency hotlines for citizens to call: 0806 807 5581 and 0802 347 3293.
