By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – A group of angry mob, on Monday, lynched a 22-year-old man suspected of being a transformer vandal in Calabar, Cross River State.
Reports alleged that the jungle justice victim was trying to steal armour cables and other items from a transformer located at Mayne Avenue by Nyong Edem Street in Calabar South.
His accomplices escaped the mob action. The name of the victim could not be ascertained by our reporter at the time of this release.
Details obtained by our reporter alleged that the suspect had charms but were cut off before they could burn him alive.
Meanwhile, residents on social media are lamenting the incessant stealing of equipment from transformers across the Calabar metropolis.
“While businesses and other economic activities have been stifled, residents of the affected areas, apart from paying their electricity bills, are forced to contribute money to purchase materials to replace stolen items, as power provider, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) does not replace vandalised or looted materials but can only attend to inferno or technical problems that affect its transformers.
“The groan of living without electricity and contributing money for the replacement of items has been unbearable in a harsh economic environment which has prompted some residents to be vigilant and keep watch over their transformers,” Frank Inyang, a resident in Calabar, shared on Facebook on Tuesday.
Responding, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, disclosed that the body of the victim has been evacuated.
According to ASP Eitokpah, “On 10/02/2026, at about 0700hrs, while on early morning surveillance patrol team of Atakpa Division, information from an undisclosed informant that there was an unidentified male corpse, suspected to be a thief, about 22 years old, burnt beyond recognition, lying along Mayne Avenue by Nyong Edem Street, Calabar South, at the boundary between Mine and Efut Division.
“Further information has it that the deceased allegedly went on an operation with two others to vandalise an electric transformer at a yet-to-be-known location. He reportedly ran out of luck, was apprehended by a mob, lynched, burned, and transported to the above location.
“There were no signs of struggle, weapons, or pre-burnt materials at the above axis. Photographs have been taken, the body evacuated, and an investigation has commenced. Efforts are in progress to arrest the perpetrators.”
The police have repeatedly warned against jungle justice, urging citizens to hand over suspects to the appropriate authorities for proper investigation and prosecution.
