By Matthew Denis
Residents of Adewole community in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State have accused employees of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on recurring cases of transformer theft in the area.
The residents spoke in separate interviews with newsmen at the weekend, urging security officers in the state to beam their searchlight on officials of the electricity distribution company.
According to them, two transformers had been evacuated within two months, saying that one transformer was removed last month at Henry George axis, while the Tafafa transformer behind Midland Hospital was also removed in the early hours of Friday.
A member of the community, Taiye Bolakale, alleged that the employees of IBEDC were behind the act, pointing out that ordinary people would not cart away a whole transformer without active connivance of the electricity distribution company staff.
He noted that the community usually enjoy power supply in the night, wondering why IBEDC failed to restore power when cables were removed and later, the transformer was completely removed, recently.
Also, Fatai Ojuabere, alleged that perpetrators usually remove transformer cable before carrying out the heinous act, saying it came as a surprise that the whole transformer had been completely removed.
He said, the suspects may have carried out the act with the use of crane.
Another resident, Hakeem Alaya, expressed worry that the transformer was stolen despite being installed close to the road.
Other respondents also called on the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to beef up security in and around public facilities.
Meanwhile, the Regional Communication Officer of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Kolawole Asaju has denied the allegation saying staff of the company would never involve in such heinous act.
He however called on members of the public with useful evidence to contact the head office of the company.
He called on residents of the state power to be policing their transformers and report any suspicious movement to law enforcement agents.
Asaju further stated that an unidentified man was electrocuted on Monday at the Kwara State Polytechnic area, while trying to vandalise a transformer.
