Residents of Jos, the Plateau state capital, have decried negligence by Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) company over continued transformer theft in the state.

More neighbourhoods have been thrown into darkness as transformer vandalism in Jos and its environs continues unabated. 

The Gazette earlier reported how oil from vandalised transformers is used for frying akara while copper from distribution transformers is used for jewellery.

Though the electricity company said efforts had been put in place to forestall the continued theft of valuable items from transformers, more neighbourhoods within the city have continued to be affected.

Henry Njulo, a businessman, explained how he was simultaneously hit by misfortune both at home and at his place of work from transformer vandals, crippling his source of livelihood.

“The transformer issue that began in my community on the 17th of May has badly affected me and my entire family in different ways. Like now, we cannot afford to buy food in bulk because there’s no means of storage. We cannot continue to buy petrol for the generator in order to freeze some of the food items we had before the transformer got vandalised. The transformer at my place of work was also vandalised. It’s been a difficult time for me economically,” he said.

He went further to state how the situation has created an atmosphere of insecurity around his neighbourhood.

“Moreso, the security of our environment has become a serious concern because a lot of criminals take advantage of moments like this situation to engage in their activities,” he added.

Mr Njulo concluded by saying that efforts have been made by the community in collaboration with JED, but they are yet to have power restored to them.

Frustrated about the recent development, a resident of Dadin Kowa who begged to remain anonymous said their transformer, located at Founders Junction, was vandalised and they’ve been in darkness for over a week.

“Initially they told us mercury was stolen. But yesterday, or so they said it was cables that were stolen. They’re saying we should try and fence the transformer or something to prevent thieves,” the source said.

When asked what had been done to rectify the damage, the source added “No one has said anything about money to be contributed yet, so we don’t know.”

Also grossly affected by the unfortunate theft, Comfort, a tailor, said in pidgin English, “We don de hit 5 months no light. I can’t work. Nothing is moving normally for me.”

Another affected resident who only wanted to be identified as Dan said they’ve been in darkness for the past two months around Bukuru expressway.

“Tomorrow will make it two months that we’ve been in darkness. We have been neglected. It’s not even funny anymore. I heard that areas around Rayfield too have also been affected,” he said.

A resident of Diye in Zarmaganda also complained about being in darkness since March.

“Our own happened since March. I don’t even know what’s happening again,” Joy said.

While these residents have groaned over what they perceived as negligence on the part of Jos DisCo, some residents in Mining Estate and Millionaires Quarters revealed that they had their transformers fixed and restored after several petitions to the company.

Recently, the police in Jos arrested seven suspects over the alleged theft of transformer cables.

One of the suspects, Tijani Bala, was apprehended with 75-mm armoured cables. 

According to a statement by the police spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, the suspect claimed to have received the items from a certain Nura of Atiku Street in Jos, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.

Some of the areas still affected are parts of Zarmaganda, Rayfield, Mazaram, Angwan Doki, Doruwa, Kwang and Bukuru Expressway, among others.

The company’s security officer, Musa Abdullahi, was contacted for comments over the recent complaints by some of its customers, but he was yet to respond at the time of filing this report.