How we prevented robbers from stealing transformer cables – community

By Edith Igbokwe

The community of Omilade Ilarein Mafoluku Oshodi would have been put into darkness but for the timely intervention of a landlord who alerted the community to halt an attempt by robbers trying to cart away the transformer cables.

The suspects had invaded Eyinogun Street at about 3am, making an attempt to steal the cables attached to the transformer but their effort was aborted when the landlord, Mr. Waheed Omilade, alerted other landlords to chase  the robbers away.

Explaining how he halted the stealing attempt, Omilade stated: “When I came out at about 3am, I saw that they had already disconnected the cables because the four cables were on the floor. I quickly shouted “thief, thief!.

Some other landlords came out, flashing their flashlights on the robbers, three of them ran away with their small ladder but could not escape with the cables.”

Following the unsuccessful attempt of stealing the cables, the community leaders decided to lay the cables on the ground with a cement to protect them from being stolen.

The chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA), Mr. Mutiu Oladepo told ECHONEWS that the community has contributed funds to do the work.

He said Ikeja Electric responded promptly to fix the cables and restore power when informed about the aborted robbery attempt.

Oladepo explained: “After the stealing attempt, we thought it would be safer to bury the cables under the ground, we contributed and did that. It will be difficult for any thief to steal the cables without breaking the cast. It will be easier for the community to apprehend the thief in the process of breaking the cast.”