A suspected electricity vandal has been electrocuted in Awka, Anambra State, following an explosion at a transformer substation.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Ogechukwu Street in Awka South Local Government Area.
According to a statement from the Head of Communications of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited (FPEDL), Izunna Okafor, preliminary investigations revealed that the yet-to-be-identified man, dressed in what appeared to be a security uniform, was unlawfully tampering with the company’s electricity network infrastructure when the explosion occurred.
The Statement confirmed that the suspect was immediately electrocuted in the process.
It stated that the Anambra State Police Command has since evacuated the corpse from the scene and commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Reacting to the development, the Managing Director of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Mr. Okechukwu Okafor condemned acts of vandalism and energy theft in recent times.
He said such criminal activities continue to undermine efforts to provide stable and reliable electricity supply to customers across Anambra State.
Mr. Okafor noted that beyond the significant financial losses and service disruptions caused, vandalism also endangers the lives of perpetrators and innocent members of the public.
The company appealed to residents and community leaders to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around electricity installations promptly to FirstPower via its WhatsApp or SMS line 08161652465, or to the nearest security agency.
Source: Uche Ndeke
, Izunna Okafor, preliminary investigations revealed that the yet-to-be-identified man, dressed in what appeared to be a security uniform, was unlawfully tampering with the company's electricity network infrastructure when the explosion occurred. The Statement confirmed that the suspect was immediately electrocuted in the process. It stated that the Anambra State Police Command has since evacuated the corpse from the scene and commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Reacting to the development, the Managing Director of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Mr. Okechukwu Okafor condemned acts of vandalism and energy theft in recent times. He said such criminal activities continue to undermine efforts to provide stable and reliable electricity supply to customers across Anambra State. Mr. Okafor noted that beyond the significant financial losses and service disruptions caused, vandalism also endangers the lives of perpetrators and innocent members of the public. The company appealed to residents and community leaders to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around electricity installations promptly to FirstPower via its WhatsApp or SMS line 08161652465, or to the nearest security agency. Source: Uche Ndeke){kind=link}