Man accused of transformer vandalism survives mob attack in Calabar

A 36-year-old man named Peter, suspected of vandalizing a transformer, narrowly avoided being lynched in Calabar, Cross River State. The incident happened at Agbo Ntoe Layout, Boulevard Road 2, off Parliamentary Extension. Police command spokesperson ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata said in an October 12, 2026 statement that the suspect was discovered with burns after a transformer explosion. According to the public relations officer, residents told police around 10:15 a.m. on Monday that a loud blast from their transformer at about 2:21 a.m. had cut off power in the area. When residents went to the scene, they reportedly found the suspect on the ground with burns across his body and tried to lynch him. Community leaders stopped the mob and said police should be called. After receiving the report, police officers went to the location, rescued the injured suspect, and took him to the station. His statement was recorded before he was transferred to a hospital for treatment. The police statement said the Cross River State Police Command arrested Peter, 36, over alleged vandalism of electricity infrastructure after a transformer explosion at that location. The statement added that on Monday, October 12, 2026, at about 10:15 a.m., a resident named Emmanuel and others filed a report at the police station. They said a loud blast from the transformer occurred at roughly 2:21 a.m. that day, cutting power to the neighborhood. The report stated that those who hurried to the site discovered him on the ground, suffering burns across his body. After the report was received, officers from B Division, Calabar, moved to the scene. They rescued the wounded suspect and brought him to the station, where his statement was taken before he received hospital treatment. Early investigation shows the suspect allegedly named people he sells items to and reportedly confessed to earlier transformer vandalism in the area. Detectives are trying to clarify what happened, establish how far the alleged crimes go, and find anyone else possibly linked to the suspected offenses. The command repeated that stealing from or damaging power infrastructure seriously endangers public safety and interferes with essential services. It advised residents to report suspicious behavior near transformers, cables, and other public utility facilities to the closest police station instead of confronting suspects on their own. Commissioner of Police for Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, psc, mnips, mspsp, assured the public that the command will keep working to protect lives and property, secure critical infrastructure, and ensure all allegations are fully investigated according to law. The command also stressed that the suspect is presumed innocent while the investigation continues, and said further updates will be provided when necessary.