Enugu Transformer Vandalism Suspect Arrested After Suffering Severe Burns

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested 23-year-old Nnaji Chidiebere after he was severely burned while allegedly attempting to vandalise a power transformer.

The incident happened on August 17 along Ogbaike Road in Obollo-Afor, Udenu Local Government Area, sparking panic among nearby residents.

Police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe said residents discovered the suspect trapped inside the transformer enclosure with severe burns and alerted the command. Officers attached to the Udenu Division responded quickly and found him unconscious at the scene.

“Operatives evacuated the suspect to a nearby medical facility, where medical personnel resuscitated him before transferring him to a specialist hospital for intensive care,” Ndukwe said.

After regaining consciousness, Chidiebere reportedly claimed he had acted alone. However, preliminary investigations have tied him to a string of transformer vandalism cases in the area. Detectives are continuing their inquiries to determine the full extent of his activities, identify possible accomplices, and prepare charges for prosecution.

Commissioner of Police Mamman Giwa commended the Obollo-Afor community for their vigilance and swift cooperation with law enforcement. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting public utility infrastructure and urged residents across Enugu State to stay alert and report suspicious activity around public installations to the nearest police division.