Suspected Vandal Electrocuted While Attempting to Tamper with Armored Cable at Jigawa State Secretariat Complex

 

In a tragic and unfortunate incident, a suspected vandal lost his life after being electrocuted while trying to tamper with armored electrical cables at the State Secretariat Complex located in Dutse, the capital city of Jigawa State. This incident took place on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, and has raised serious concerns about the dangers of vandalizing public infrastructure, especially high-voltage electrical installations.

The spokesperson for the Jigawa State Police Command, Superintendent Shiisu Lawan Adam, confirmed the details of the event in an official statement released to the public. According to SP Shiisu Lawan Adam, the lifeless body of the unidentified male was discovered beneath a slab that housed the armored cable wiring within the complex.

He explained the circumstances surrounding the incident in the statement, saying:

“Today, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at about 1000hrs, the Jigawa State Police Command received a distress call from the ministry of works regarding an unfortunate incident that occurred at the Jigawa State Secretariat New Complex, Dutse.”

Upon receiving the distress call, a police team led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Dutse promptly responded and rushed to the scene to investigate the situation further.

“A team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer of Dutse Division responded to the call. Upon arrival at the scene, police officers discovered the lifeless body of an unidentified male adult under a slab that contained armored cable wiring.”

Preliminary investigations conducted by the police revealed that the deceased individual was electrocuted due to contact with the high-voltage armored electrical cables while attempting to vandalize the infrastructure.

“A preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased was electrocuted while attempting to vandalize armored electrical cables connected to a high-voltage power source.”

Sadly, the body had already begun to decompose by the time it was found, underscoring how long the individual had been deceased before discovery. The body was subsequently evacuated and taken to the Dutse General Hospital, where medical professionals conducted a thorough examination to determine the exact cause of death.

“The deceased's body, which had begun to decompose, has since been evacuated to Dutse General Hospital for a medical examination.”

This incident serves as a grave reminder of the severe dangers involved in tampering with public utilities, particularly electrical installations, which carry an inherent risk of fatal accidents.

“This incident highlighted the serious risks associated with vandalism of public infrastructure, particularly electrical installations.”

The Police Command strongly condemned the criminal act of vandalism, emphasizing the need for members of the public to desist from such hazardous and unlawful activities that not only risk their own lives but also disrupt essential public services.

“The Command strongly condemns this criminal act and warns members of the public against engaging in such hazardous and unlawful activities.”

Moreover, the Jigawa State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public property and protecting the lives and wellbeing of the state’s residents by maintaining constant vigilance and swift response to threats against public infrastructure.

“The Jigawa State Police Command remains committed to protecting public property and ensuring the safety of lives and infrastructure across the state. We urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activities in their communities to the nearest police station.”

The police further assured the public that investigations into the incident are ongoing and promised to provide timely updates as more information becomes available.

“As the investigation progresses, the Command will provide additional updates.”

This tragic event underscores the importance of respecting public infrastructure and avoiding illegal activities such as vandalism, which can have fatal consequences. Residents of Jigawa State and beyond are urged to stay alert, report suspicious behavior, and help protect their communities from similar incidents.