A 36-year-old suspected transformer vandal identified simply as Peter escaped lynching in Calabar, Cross River State earlier today after community leaders intervened and insisted on police presence before releasing him.
The incident occurred at Agbo Ntoe Layout, Boulevard Road 2, off Parliamentary Extension, Calabar.
In a statement, the Cross River State Police Command said the suspect was found with burn injuries after a transformer explosion in the area.
According to the police, residents reported at about 10:15 am today that they heard a loud explosion from their transformer at about 2:21 am, which interrupted electricity supply to the area.
Residents who rushed to the scene reportedly found the suspect lying on the ground with burns all over his body and attempted to lynch him.
Community leaders, however, prevented the mob action and insisted that the police be invited.
The police said a team from B Division, Calabar, proceeded to the scene, rescued the injured suspect, took him to the station where his statement was obtained, before taking him to hospital for medical attention.
Cross River State Police spokesman, ASP Sunday Eitokpah said preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect allegedly mentioned individuals to whom he sells vandalised items and reportedly admitted to previous acts of transformer vandalism in the area.
The command said investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify other persons who may be connected.
Eitokpah said the action of the community leaders shows the impact of the Cross State Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue’s campaign against jungle justice.
In a post on X, Eitokpah said the leaders demonstrated commendable restraint by preventing the suspect’s lynching and insisting on police presence.
He said their action underscores the importance of community cooperation in combating jungle justice and allowing the law to take its course.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, urged members of the public to reject mob violence and embrace lawful channels.
“Remember: A suspect is not a convict. Justice is not served by mob action but by due process. Say NO to jungle justice!” the command stated.
The command reiterated that vandalism or theft of electricity infrastructure poses serious threat to public safety and disrupts essential services, urging residents to report suspicious activities around transformers and other public installations rather than confront suspects themselves.
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