A man identified as Muktar Rabiu suffered severe burns during an attempt to steal electric cable weeks after he was apprehended for the same offence.

The spokesperson of the FCT Police command, SP Josephine Adeh, said on November 21, men of the police command had apprehended Muktar on Christ the King Road in Gwagwalada after he was found in possession of high-voltage electricity cables, which authorities believe were stolen from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

Adeh said following his arrest, he was charged to court and the judge sentenced him to community service, which included receiving 42 strokes of the cane.

‘’However, this seemingly light punishment did little to deter him. In a tragic twist of fate, he returned to his criminal ways, targeting a transformer in a brazen act of vandalism.

This time, however, karma intervened. November 28, a few weeks after the community service while attempting to dismantle the electrical apparatus, Muktar suffered severe electrocution, leaving him critically injured. He is now receiving medical treatment in a hospital, and upon recovery, he will face new charges for his repeat offence.”