Peter Duru
14 December 2012, Sweetcrude, Makurdi — A 16-year-old boy, Terseer Iorparegh, was Thursday, caught stuck in a high tension cable while attempting to vandalise the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, power line along Naka road in Makurdi.
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Gabriel Suswam on Public Utilities, Mr. Gaddafi Asemanya who was at the scene said residents of the area were woken up by shout of help from the young man around 2am on Thursday only to behold the teenager hanging between the high tension cable after he had suffered shock and first degree burns.
Asemanya said the teenager who had removed the lower cable climbed the PHCN pole to vandalise the upper cable when his leg touched a line which caused a spark and fire which spread over his body, prompting him to shout for help.
“Vandalism of PHCN property has become a serious issue in Benue State, in the last one year. I have apprehended over 30 vandals, while some were prosecuted many of these persons were set free because PHCH has no legal team to ensure the prosecution of these suspects”, he said.
He explained that the residents had wanted to lynch the vandal but for his quick intervention and assistance by men of the fire service, the police and officers and men of the civil defence corps who were on hand to assist recover the vandal.
The Special Assistant to the governor further disclosed that the suspect was receiving medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi where he lied critically ill with no one coming to identify him.
Reacting, PHCN spokesman, Uche Oranya who appreciated the prompt action of the residents of the area, as well as that of the governor’s aide called on security operatives to ensure adequate safeguard of PHCN facilities in the state.
