A suspected vandal has died after being electrocuted while allegedly trying to cut a high-tension electricity cable along the Ringim–Sintilimawa Road in Jigawa State, northern Nigeria.
The incident follows a surge in attacks on public infrastructure across the state, coming just weeks after vandals stole armoured cables from a nearby school transformer, plunging the facility into darkness.
Police confirmed that officers responded to a distress call on Friday morning after local commuters spotted a motionless body lying near the power lines.
Spokesperson for the Jigawa State Police Command, Shi’isu Adam, confirmed that patrol officers arrived at the scene to find the victim with severe burn injuries across his hands, chest, and torso.
Evidence and police investigation
Police recovered several tools from the scene, including heavy-duty hand gloves, a hacksaw, and sacks intended to transport the stolen materials.
“It is suspected the person was electrocuted while trying to vandalise the electric cable,” Adam said. “The body was removed to the hospital, where it was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. Investigations are ongoing to establish his identity.”
The police command warned residents against tampering with electrical installations and urged the public to report suspicious movements around power infrastructure.
Local residents expressed frustration over persistent cable theft in the area, noting that frequent vandalism has repeatedly disrupted the regional power supply and left communities in the dark.
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