Cable vandal electrocuted at BEDC substation in Benin

A suspected cable vandal was electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal electricity cables from the Etete Injection Substation of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc in Benin City, in an incident that underscores the growing threat infrastructure vandalism poses to Nigeria’s power distribution network.

The incident occurred at the strategic facility, which receives electricity from the national transmission grid and injects power into the distribution network.

The failed vandalism attempt also caused damage to parts of the substation, highlighting the significant financial and operational consequences of attacks on critical electricity infrastructure.

When journalists visited the facility on Tuesday, operatives of the Etete Police Division were seen evacuating the body of the deceased suspect, while preliminary assessments revealed visible damage allegedly caused during the attempted theft.

Speaking at the scene, Evelyn Gbiwen, BEDC’s Head of Branding and Corporate Communications, said the company received reports that the suspect was electrocuted after returning to the substation to continue stealing cables.

According to her, suspected members of the same group had earlier invaded the facility on Sunday and made away with several copper cables before allegedly returning on Monday night in another attempt to vandalise the installation.

Gbiwen disclosed that BEDC’s Regional Head, Technical, had anticipated another attack following the earlier incident and directed technical personnel to remain on standby.

She explained that the suspect was electrocuted after cutting what he believed to be an earthing cable but which was actually a neutral cable connected to the power transformer, triggering a powerful electrical explosion.

Describing vandalism of electricity infrastructure as a growing challenge across BEDC’s franchise states, Gbiwen warned that the destruction of power assets continues to disrupt electricity supply, increase operational costs and undermine efforts to provide reliable electricity to customers.

She appealed to residents, particularly those living near substations and transformers, to support the company by promptly reporting suspicious activities and helping to protect critical electricity infrastructure.

Also speaking, Afebogbe Oguezor, Regional Head, Technical, Benin South Region, said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects likely gained access by scaling the facility’s perimeter fence despite existing security measures.

Oguezor added that BEDC is reviewing additional security measures, including reinforcing the perimeter fence with barbed wire and other protective installations, to strengthen the security of its facilities and prevent future attacks.