Man electrocuted while trying to steal cable in Jigawa

A man suspected of vandalism died after he was electrocuted while trying to cut a high-tension cable on the Ringim-Sintilimawa Road in Jigawa State.

This incident happened just weeks after some vandals overpowered security guards and stole 12 metres of armoured cable from a transformer at Government Unity School in Ringim. This theft left the school without electricity.

Reports show that there has been a rise in attacks on public infrastructure by suspected vandals in Jigawa State recently.

SP Shi’isu Adam, the Police Public Relations Officer for Jigawa State Police Command, confirmed the incident. He said in a statement shared on Sunday that officers found a lifeless body after a distress call was made about someone lying motionless along the road.

According to the police spokesperson, the incident took place on July 31 at around 9:00 am.

"On 31/07/2026 at about 0900hrs, a distress call was received that a body was seen lying motionless along Ringim to Sintilimawa Road," Adam said.

He mentioned that police patrol teams responded quickly to the report.

"On receipt of the report, the patrol team from Ringim rushed to the scene," he added.

Adam said officers found severe burn injuries on the victim.

"It was observed that there were burns on both hands, the chest, and the pelvic area of the body," he noted.

He also said they recovered items believed to be used in the act from the scene.

"Hand gloves, a hacksaw, and some sacks were discovered at the scene," Adam stated.

The police spokesperson said early findings indicated that the deceased was electrocuted while trying to vandalise an electric cable.

"It is suspected the person was electrocuted while trying to vandalise the electric cable," he explained.

"The body was removed to the hospital, where it was confirmed dead by a medical doctor," Adam added.

He said they are working to find out who the deceased is.

"Effort is on to identify the identity of the corpse. The case is under investigation," he said.

Adam warned residents to stay away from vandalising public infrastructure.

"The Command urges residents to desist from tampering with electrical installations and to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station," he advised.

He also stressed that the police will protect public assets.

"The Jigawa State Police Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property and will prosecute anyone found culpable in such criminal acts," Adam said.

Residents in the area shared their shock about the incident in separate phone interviews on Sunday.

A trader named Mallam Lawal, who uses that route daily, said, "We heard the sound and later saw police at the scene. It is sad because vandalism is destroying our electricity."

Another local, Haruna Illa, a farmer from a nearby village, said, "I was going to my farm when I saw the body and tools on the ground. People said he wanted to cut cable and got shocked."

Ibrahim Danladi, a commercial driver on the Ringim-Sintilimawa route, said, "We have been suffering power outages. If this is true, then vandals are putting their lives at risk and also affecting communities."