Two Suspects Arrested over Alleged Theft of FirstPower Electricity Installations at Nimo

By PPraise Chinecherem

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the alleged vandalisation and theft of components from an electricity transformer at the Urunkpuke Distribution Substation (DSS), Nimo, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The Management of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited confirmed the arrest in a statement signed by its Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor.

The suspects, identified as Nonso Okolodile and Emeka Onyeugwo, both natives of Nimo, were apprehended by members of the Nimo Vigilante Group following a report by the company’s Feeder Manager in the area concerning the alleged vandalisation of the transformer.

According to FirstPower, the company subsequently contacted the vigilante group and requested that the suspects be handed over to the police for proper investigation.

The suspects were thereafter taken to the Nimo Divisional Police Station, where they are being held for preliminary investigation. The company said it had also requested their transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka, for further investigation.

A tool allegedly used in the vandalisation, as well as parts of the affected transformer components, were reportedly recovered from the scene.

FirstPower described the Urunkpuke DSS transformer as a critical electricity distribution asset serving customers in the community, warning that the vandalisation of transformers and other electricity infrastructure disrupts power supply and imposes significant financial costs on the distribution system.

The company commended the Nimo Vigilante Group for its intervention and cooperation with FirstPower and security agencies in apprehending the suspects.

“Vandalism of electricity infrastructure is a serious criminal act that threatens electricity supply, damages valuable public infrastructure and affects customers who depend on these facilities for their homes, businesses and other activities,” the company stated.

The latest arrests come barely a week after FirstPower raised concerns over what it described as the high rate of vandalism of its infrastructure across Anambra State.

The company disclosed that no fewer than 73 major cases of vandalism of electricity infrastructure had been recorded across different parts of the state between January and September 2026, resulting in disruptions to services and increased expenditure on repairs and replacement of damaged assets.

FirstPower urged residents and community leaders within its network to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around transformers, substations, electricity poles, cables and other installations to the appropriate authorities or through the company’s established whistleblowing channels.

The company also said it would continue to collaborate with security agencies, community groups and other stakeholders to protect its distribution infrastructure and ensure that anyone found culpable of vandalising electricity installations is brought before the appropriate authorities for action in accordance with the law.

It assured customers in Nimo and other affected communities of its commitment to restoring and improving electricity supply while working with relevant stakeholders to safeguard the distribution network.

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