By Steve Oni, Ilorin
Residents of Adewole community in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State have raised the alarm over rising cases of transformer theft in the area.
They appealed to the security agencies in the state to descend on the staff of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company on the persistent theft of transformers in the metropolis.
The residents spoke in an interview with Journalists in Ilorin on Friday on the spate of insecurity and transformer theft rampant in the community.
According to them, two transformers had been evacuated within two months, saying that one transformer was removed last month at Henry George axis, while the Tafafa transformer behind Midland Hospital was also removed and driven away in the early hours of Friday.
A member of the community, Mr. Fatai Ojuabere, alleged that perpetrators usually remove transformer’s cable before carrying out the heinous act, saying it came as a surprise that the whole transformer was completely removed.
He noted that the suspects carried out the act devoid of any iota of fear, using crane to remove and carry the transformer.
Another member of the community, Mr. Hakeem Alaya, expressed worry that the transformer was stolen despite that it was erected close to the roadside along Kano road while the policemen always patrol the area.
Also speaking, Mr. Taiye Bolakale, alleged that the staff of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company were behind the act, pointing out that ordinary people would not cart away a whole transformer without active connivance of the IBEDC staff.
He noted that the community usually enjoys power supply in the midnight, wondering why the Electricity distribution company failed to restore light when cables were removed few months ago and when the transformer was completely removed.
Other members of the community, who also spoke, alleged that the staff of IBEDC connived with the perpetrators and called on security operatives to arrest them in order to stop the incessant cases of transformers’ theft.
They explained that the perpetrators left behind torchlight used in the act, why appealing to security operatives to conduct forensic investigation to know those involved and make them face the wrath of the law.
The respondents also called on the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to beef up security in and around public facilities.
They also urged the state government to strengthen the security network of the state and ensure effective community policing of government’s installations in the state.
When our correspondent visited the location of the Tafafa transformer in Adewole, members of the community and staffs of Adewole division of IBEDC were seen in clusters, discussing the incident.
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