Man sneaks into fenced transformer reportedly commits suicide
In the Kanshio community of Makurdi, the Benue state capital, a middle-aged man named Terhide Garfa reportedly took his own life.
Garfa was discovered dead in a seated position near a transformer in the Kanshio area around 3:45 pm on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
A witness, identified only as Nick, expressed bewilderment over how Garfa gained access to the fenced area surrounding the transformer.
Nick, a resident of the area, mentioned hearing that Garfa had threatened to end his life if he was not granted the opportunity to speak with his mother.
“Someone said that he heard him saying that he wanted to speak with his mother or he would kill himself but the person did not know if he was able to speak with his mother or not.
“At first they thought it to be a joke but few minutes later he was discovered dead. People saw his lifeless body close to the transformer.”
Dr. Adakole Elijah, the Head of Corporate Communications at the Jos Electricity Distribution Company, when addressing reporters characterised the incident as unusual.
Elijah expressed confusion over the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the man’s lifeless body near the fenced transformer, unable to comprehend the motive behind the individual’s actions.
He said, “We found it strange that a transformer that was fully fenced, somebody could enter into the place and we don’t know really what happened, whether it was a case of suicide or attempted vandalism.
“The pictorial evidence shows that the man forced himself into the transformer. JED has always warned people not to go close to it’s installations,” he said.
SP Catherine Anene, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, verified the incident, stating that the case had been reported.
She added that an investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances leading to the man’s actions.
