The Enugu State police command has arrested a 23-year-old suspected transformer vandal after he was found unconscious with burns while allegedly vandalising a transformer along Ogbaike Road, Obollo-Afor in Udenu Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, Nnaji Chidiebere, was found with various degrees of injuries when he attempted to vandalise a transformer on Monday at about 2:20 p.m.

A statement on Tuesday by Daniel Ndukwe, the command’s spokesman, said the arrest followed credible information from community members.

“His arrest followed credible information from community members that he had been discovered at about 2:20 p.m., trapped inside the transformer while allegedly attempting to vandalise it,” he said.

Mr Ndukwe said the operatives of the command attached to Udenu Police Division promptly mobilised to the scene and found the suspect unconscious with various degrees of burns. 

He stated that the suspect was immediately evacuated to a nearby hospital, where he was resuscitated and subsequently referred to a specialist hospital for further treatment.

“Upon regaining consciousness, the suspect identified himself as Nnaji Chidiebere and stated that he had been alone at the scene,” he said. 

According to him, however, the preliminary investigation has linked him to transformer vandalism in the area. 

He added that further investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of his activities, identify possible accomplices, and facilitate his prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended community members for their prompt intervention and information, which enabled the police to respond swiftly, rescue and arrest the suspect. 

He reiterated the command’s firm commitment to protecting critical public infrastructure and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities.