Dare Babalola
A yet-to-be-identified man has lost his life after suffering electrocution while attempting to vandalise electrical equipment belonging to FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited at Ogechukwu Street, Awka, the capital of Anambra State.
It was gathered that the suspected cable thief was operating at a transformer substation in the area and had finished cutting cables when a heavy explosion occurred, electrocuting him.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, February 24, 2026, and was discovered when personnel from the electricity company arrived at the substation to assess the situation, finding the man’s lifeless body.
FirstPower’s Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor, confirmed the incident in a press statement, urging residents and community leaders to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around electricity installations.
Okafor said the Anambra State Police Command had been contacted, and officers had evacuated the corpse and commenced further investigations.
The statement read in part, ”FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited confirms an unfortunate incident that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Ogechukwu Street, Awka, involving the electrocution of a suspected vandal.
“Preliminary reports indicate that a heavy explosion occurred at a transformer substation, resulting from unlawful tampering with FirstPower’s electricity network infrastructure by a suspected vandal dressed in security uniform.
“The individual was immediately electrocuted in the process. The Anambra State Police Command has been contacted, evacuated the body, and commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”*
In reaction, the Managing Director of FirstPower, Okechukwu Okafor, strongly condemned acts of vandalism and energy theft, noting that such criminal activities not only disrupt electricity supply but also endanger lives.
He urged residents to report suspicious activity via FirstPower’s WhatsApp line (08161652465), SMS, or to the nearest security agency, emphasising that protecting power infrastructure is a collective responsibility.
Olaide said, “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.
“FirstPower remains committed to delivering safe, efficient, and improved electricity services to our customers. We will continue to work closely with security agencies and stakeholders to curb vandalism and ensure adequate protection of our network facilities.”
