A suspected electricity transformer vandal has been set ablaze by a mob in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.
Salient Times gathered that the tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at about 6:30 am at Palm Street by Target road, Calabar South Local Government Area.
An eyewitness, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the suspect, an unidentified male in his 30s, was caught trying to steal armour cables and other valuable items from the transformer at the junction which serves Palm Street, Ededem Street, Target, Academy and other adjoining streets.
“Someone raised the alarm and a group of people came out, he was apprehended and beaten to a pulp, then they set him ablaze by the roadside,” the eyewitness said.
When contacted, spokesperson of the Cross River Police Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the incident.
According to him, before a patrol team could get to the location, the mob had already lynched the suspect and set him ablaze.
“The incident of suspected mob action occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 10th March 2026, at about 6:30 a.m. at Palm Street by Target Junction in Calabar,” Eitokpah said.
“Preliminary information indicates that an unidentified male, alleged to be involved in vandalising a transformer, was reportedly apprehended by a mob and subsequently burnt to death before the arrival of the Police.
“Upon receiving the information, a Police patrol team swiftly mobilised to the scene, where the burnt corpse was found in front of the transformer.
“Items recovered at the scene include an old model electricity meter box, a piece of copper wire, and electric cables, suspected to be vandalised materials.
“The Local Government authorities and Environmental Health Services have been contacted for the evacuation of the corpse.
“The Command wishes to state clearly that mob action or jungle justice is illegal and unacceptable, and members of the public are strongly advised to hand over suspects to the Police for proper investigation and prosecution rather than take the law into their hands.”
The statement added that “investigation is currently ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved in the mob action.”
“Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” he said.
