By Ade Oyeyemi
Two men have been arrested in connection with the alleged vandalisation of a transformer at the Urunkpuke Distribution Substation in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The suspects, identified as Nonso Okolodile and Emeka Onyeugwo, both from Nimo, were apprehended by members of the Nimo Vigilante Group following a report from FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited.
The electricity distribution company confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Thursday by its Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor.
Okafor said the company’s feeder manager in the area alerted the management after the transformer was allegedly vandalised.
He said the company subsequently contacted the vigilante group and requested that the suspects be handed over to the police for further investigation.
The suspects were taken to the Nimo Divisional Police Station, where they were being held for preliminary investigation as of Thursday.
The company also requested their transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for a more detailed investigation.
According to FirstPower, a tool allegedly used in the vandalism and some components believed to have been removed from the transformer were recovered from the scene.
The company described the Urunkpuke transformer as one of the critical electricity distribution assets serving customers in the Nimo community.
It warned that the vandalisation of transformers and other electricity infrastructure could disrupt power supply and impose additional costs on electricity distribution operations.
“Vandalisation of transformers and other electricity infrastructure disrupts electricity supply to communities and imposes significant costs on the distribution system,” the company stated.
FirstPower commended the Nimo Vigilante Group for its role in apprehending the suspects and pledged continued cooperation with security agencies and community organisations to protect its facilities.
The company also disclosed that it had recorded 73 major cases of electricity infrastructure vandalism across different parts of Anambra State between January and September 2026.
According to FirstPower, the incidents had affected its services to customers and increased the company’s operational expenses.
The distribution firm urged residents and community leaders to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around transformers, substations, electricity poles, cables and other installations.
It said reports could be made to relevant security agencies or through its established whistleblowing channels.
FirstPower assured customers in Nimo and other affected communities of its commitment to restoring and improving electricity supply while working with stakeholders to secure its distribution network.
