A suspected transformer vandal was reportedly burned to death by a mob in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, in the early hours of Tuesday, March 10.
The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Palm Street near Target Junction in the Calabar South Local Government Area.
According to an eyewitness who spoke anonymously, the man—believed to be in his 30s—was caught trying to steal armoured cables and other components from a transformer supplying electricity to nearby areas, including Palm Street, Ededem Street, Target, and Academy.
Residents reportedly became suspicious after noticing unusual activity around the transformer. An alarm was raised, prompting people in the area to come out. The suspect was allegedly apprehended, severely beaten, and later set on fire by the mob at the roadside.
The spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the incident. He explained that when a police patrol team arrived at the scene, the mob had already killed the suspect and burned his body.
Eitokpah stated that preliminary reports indicated the man was vandalising the transformer before residents caught him.
Police officers who responded to the incident found the burned body lying in front of the transformer. Items recovered at the scene included an old electricity meter box, a piece of copper wire, and electric cables believed to have been removed from the transformer.
Authorities said local government and environmental health officials have been contacted to remove the corpse.
The police condemned the act of mob justice, describing it as illegal and unacceptable. Eitokpah urged residents to hand over suspects to law enforcement agencies for proper investigation and prosecution.
He also revealed that investigations have begun to identify and arrest those involved in the attack, adding that further updates will be provided as the probe continues.
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