A man suspected of attempting to steal electricity cables narrowly escaped being lynched by an angry mob after an unexpected restoration of power left him stranded on an electricity pole in Kebbi State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning in Goru village, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, when the unidentified man allegedly climbed a power distribution pole to remove cables during an electricity outage.
According to an eyewitness, Malam Usman Goru, residents woke up to find the man dangling from the pole. They later learnt that he had allegedly been attempting to steal electrical cables when power supply suddenly returned, exposing him to a potentially fatal electric shock.
The suspect reportedly sustained injuries and became stranded on the pole, prompting community elders to alert the police and personnel of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
The officials subsequently rescued the man and arranged for him to receive medical attention.
However, the situation took another turn when angry residents reportedly gathered and attempted to attack him as he was being transported to hospital.
Police officers intervened and dispersed the crowd, preventing the incident from escalating into a possible mob killing.
Goru alleged that the suspect was known in the community for similar activities, although his identity and the allegations against him had not been independently established.
The incident highlights the dangers associated with electricity cable theft, which can expose perpetrators to electrocution and cause disruptions to power supply.
It also raises concerns about mob justice, with residents urged to hand over suspected offenders to law enforcement authorities rather than taking the law into their own hands.
As of the time of reporting, further official details about the suspect’s identity and condition were not available.
