A yet-to-be-identified man met his untimely death in the early hours of the day in Ueken Community, located within the Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, after being electrocuted while attempting to steal electric cables belonging to the community.
According to eyewitness accounts, the tragic incident occurred while the man was allegedly trying to remove electrical cables from a power line or installation believed to be part of the community’s public infrastructure. It is reported that he may have assumed the wires were not live at the time, but unfortunately, they were still carrying high-voltage current.
Residents in the area woke up to the horrifying sight of the man’s lifeless body lying near the base of the electric pole, with some parts of his body severely burnt due to the electrocution. His identity was not known at the time of this report, and no identification documents were found on him.
The situation prompted members of the community to alert both the local authorities and the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED). Upon arrival, officials confirmed that the man had died on the spot as a result of the high-voltage shock he sustained. Security personnel were also dispatched to the scene to cordon off the area and begin preliminary investigations.
Speaking to the media, a resident of Ueken, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed concern over the increasing rate of cable theft and vandalism in the area, stressing the danger such acts pose not only to the perpetrators but to the entire community. “This is not the first time someone has tried to steal electric cables here. But it’s unfortunate it had to end this way for this man. We need more protection around our electrical installations,” he said.
Local leaders are calling for increased vigilance and improved security around public utility installations to prevent such occurrences in the future. Some have also appealed to the PHED to consider insulating critical power infrastructure or enhancing surveillance in high-risk communities.
The body of the deceased was later conveyed by the police to a nearby morgue for preservation as investigations continue to ascertain his identity and whether he was working alone or with accomplices.
The incident has reignited discussions about the dangers of tampering with live electrical installations, the growing menace of power infrastructure vandalism, and the need for public awareness on the fatal consequences of such criminal acts.
Authorities have urged the public to report any suspicious activity around utility installations and to discourage young people from engaging in acts that endanger their lives and the safety of their communities.
