By Emmanuel wise Jipoh
Two men have died after being electrocuted during a suspected power theft operation in New Matadi, Sinkor, a Monrovia suburb.
Residents said the men allegedly attempted to steal a current from a Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) pole in Dr. Dweh Community in Matadi.
The sad incident occurred early Saturday morning, 10 December 2022, at about 3 am.
One of the deceased was identified as Bill Zogar, and his body was retrieved by family members and quickly taken for burial.
The other deceased was examined by the Liberia National Police (LNP) Forensic Team while the case is pending an investigation.
According to witnesses in the area, the deceased men met their untimely death after they attempted to illegally connect cables to supply power to other residents of the area from the LEC pole.
Residents said proceeds from such alleged illegal connections on LEC poles are for the personal benefit of the power thieves.
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Community dwellers stated to the NewDawn that the two victims were alleged criminals.
The deceased men were said to be residents of the area for many years.
Residents alleged that power theft was a common practice for the deceased, and they allegedly commercialized it for their benefit.
During their last alleged power theft operation, residents said one of the deceased had succeeded in cutting off the LEC pole.
Unfortunately, the pole fell on a high-tension line, and one of the deceased was electrocuted instantly.
His accomplice, who tried to rescue him from the high-tension line, also got electrocuted.
Our reporter who visited the scene said following the electrocution, the suspected thieves were left with several burns on their bodies.
This incident occurred while LEC and Stakeholders are carrying on an anti-power theft campaign to reduce the theft of electricity across Monrovia and its environs.
The head of the anti-power theft campaign and head of the General Services Agency (GSA) Madam Mary T. Broh has said that power theft remains a serious issue here.
Since the launch of the anti-power theft campaign, at least 2,000 cases of power theft were detected in raids conducted across Monrovia by LEC.
The raids affected residential areas, business premises, and companies, among others, within various communities. –Edited by Winston W. Parley
