Man electrocuted in Benue after threatening to commit suicide

A young man identified as Terhide Garfa has been found dead near a transformer at Kanshio community in Makurdi metropolis of Benue State.

Our correspondent gathered that Garfa’s corpse was found within the fenced transformer at about 3:45 pm on Thursday.

Residents could not ascertain how the deceased gained access into the fenced transformer.

But, one Nick said, “Someone said that he heard him (deceased) say that he wanted to speak to his mother or he would kill himself but the person did not know if he was able to speak to his mother or not.

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“The next is that people saw his lifeless body close to the transformer.”

Contacted, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED), Dr Adakole Elijah, described the incident to journalists as strange.

Elijah said that the transformer where the body was found was fenced and he could not fathom the reason behind the deceased’s action.

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 its installations.”

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation to unravel the circumstances behind the man’s action had already begun.