Suspected Vandal Severely Injured in Osun Transformer Incident

 

A suspected vandal, identified simply as Wale, learned a painful lesson about the extreme dangers of tampering with public infrastructure, as he suffered severe injuries while attempting to steal electrical cables from a transformer in Osun State. The incident serves as a stark warning about the deadly risks associated with such illicit activities.

The dramatic event unfolded at the Zone B area of Surulere Estate, in Ede South Local Government Area. Wale, who hails from Owode Igbona in Osogbo, had reportedly gained access to the transformer facility on Thursday under the cloak of darkness. However, luck was not on his side. According to eyewitnesses, as he was in the act of disconnecting the up-riser cable and other incoming wires, electric power was suddenly restored. The resulting electric shock left him badly injured.

Residents of the community, who had earlier noted suspicious activity around the transformer, acted swiftly. They alerted officers from the Nigeria Police Force at Oke Iresi Police Station, Ede, who promptly arrived at the scene and took the injured suspect into custody.

Dr. BMG Amosa, the Chairman of Zone B Community, spoke out on the incident, lamenting the growing instances of vandalism and theft targeting public utilities in the area. "While this is an unfortunate incident, it highlights the grave danger of tampering with critical community infrastructure. Let this serve as a deterrent to others. We remain committed to safeguarding our community’s resources,” Dr. Amosa stated, underscoring the collective resolve to protect shared assets.

Police sources confirmed to Vanguard that an investigation into the matter is ongoing, aiming to determine whether Wale acted alone or was part of a larger syndicate. This incident is a harsh reminder that critical infrastructure is not just property, but a vital lifeblood for communities, and tampering with it carries severe, often immediate, consequences.