By Our Correspondent
The Management of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has confirmed the arrest of two persons suspected to be involved in the vandalization of a transformer at the Urunkpuke Distribution Substation, Nimo, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The company disclosed this in a statement signed by its Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, saying the suspects, identified as Nonso Okolodile and Emeka Onyeugwo, both natives of Nimo, were arrested by members of the Nimo Vigilante Group following a report from the company’s Feeder Manager in the area.
According to the statement, upon receiving the report, FirstPower contacted the vigilante group and requested that the suspects be handed over to the Police for proper investigation.
It said the suspects were subsequently taken to the Nimo Divisional Police Station, where they were being held for preliminary investigation, adding that the company had also requested their transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka, for further and discreet investigation.
The company said the arrest followed concerns over the vandalization of the Urunkpuke DSS transformer, which it described as one of the critical electricity distribution assets serving customers in the area.
It added that a tool allegedly being used by the suspected vandals, as well as parts of the vandalized items, were recovered from the scene.
FirstPower said vandalization of transformers and other electricity infrastructure disrupts electricity supply to communities and imposes significant costs on the distribution system.
The company commended the Nimo Vigilante Group for its intervention and cooperation with FirstPower and security agencies in the apprehension of the suspects.
It reiterated that vandalism of electricity infrastructure was a serious criminal act that threatens electricity supply, damages public infrastructure and affects customers who depend on the facilities for their homes, businesses and other activities.
The company also recalled that it raised an alarm last week over the high rate of vandalism on its network, revealing that no fewer than 73 major cases of vandalism of electricity infrastructure had been recorded across different parts of Anambra between January and September 2026.
According to FirstPower, the incidents have had consequential effects on its services to customers and expenses incurred in maintaining and restoring the distribution network.
The company therefore urged residents and community leaders across its network to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around transformers, substations, poles, cables and other electricity installations to the appropriate authorities or through its established whistleblowing channels.
FirstPower said it would continue to collaborate with security agencies, community groups and other stakeholders to protect its distribution infrastructure and ensure that persons found culpable of vandalizing electricity installations were brought before the appropriate authorities for necessary action in accordance with the law.
It also assured customers in Nimo and other affected communities of its commitment to restoring and improving electricity supply while working with stakeholders to safeguard the distribution network.
