Calabar South, Cross River State, was thrown into chaos on Tuesday when a 22-year-old man, accused of transformer vandalism, was lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob.
The shocking incident unfolded along Mayne Avenue near Nyong Edem Street, where residents said the suspect attempted to remove armored cables and other electrical components from a local transformer.
Eyewitnesses reported that the young man was not alone.
“We do not know his name, but those who accompanied him managed to escape before the crowd could catch them.
‘He refused to disclose their identities or addresses, so he bore the consequences alone,” said Edem Linus, a resident of the area.
Linus described the scene as horrifying, with the mob taking justice into their own hands after years of frustration over repeated vandalism incidents.
The act of transformer vandalism has become a growing concern in the community, residents lamented.
Linus explained that these criminal activities often lead to prolonged power outages, severely disrupting both domestic life and business operations.
“Businesses and other economic activities are often paralyzed because of transformer vandalism.
“Apart from paying our electricity bills, residents are frequently forced to contribute funds to replace stolen electrical materials.
“The power provider, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), has repeatedly stated that it does not replace vandalized items but only handles technical faults or fire-related damages,” he said.
Frank Inyang, another resident, emphasized the hardship caused by the recurring outages.
“Living without electricity is already a challenge, but being forced to repeatedly contribute funds for replacements has become unbearable, especially amid the current economic struggles,” he said.
He added that the ongoing burden has prompted residents to actively monitor transformers in their neighborhoods, a measure that appears to be somewhat effective in preventing further thefts.
The police confirmed the incident and said the victim’s body had been evacuated.
ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the Police Public Relations Officer for Cross River State, revealed that a patrol team from the Atakpa Division received information about the unidentified male corpse during an early morning surveillance operation.
Preliminary findings indicated that the deceased, along with two unidentified accomplices, had attempted to vandalize the transformer at an undisclosed location.
ASP Eitokpah stated: “He was apprehended by a mob, lynched, and set ablaze. The police have removed the body from the scene, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances of the incident.”
Residents said the incident is a stark reminder of the dangers and consequences of transformer vandalism.
Many expressed concern that while such acts of vigilantism are understandable given the frustration caused by repeated outages, resorting to violence may exacerbate tensions and could result in serious legal repercussions.
“We are tired of living in darkness and repeatedly paying for vandalized transformers. But taking the law into our hands could create more problems. We hope authorities step up to address transformer vandalism effectively,” Linus added.
Transformer vandalism has been a persistent problem across many parts of Nigeria, with criminals often targeting equipment for resale or scrap, causing widespread power outages and financial losses.
The impact on communities is significant, affecting schools, hospitals, businesses, and household activities.
Residents of Calabar South, in particular, have voiced concerns over the long-term consequences of such criminal acts, urging both electricity companies and law enforcement agencies to strengthen preventive measures and prosecute offenders.
As the investigation continues, authorities are calling for calm and reminding residents to report vandalism or suspicious activities rather than taking matters into their own hands.
The Cross River State government and the PHED are expected to release statements outlining measures to prevent future transformer vandalism and protect both residents and critical infrastructure.
This incident has reignited public discourse on the growing menace of transformer vandalism in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated community vigilance, robust law enforcement, and effective infrastructure protection to ensure reliable power supply and prevent tragedies like the one in Calabar South.
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