Residence of the Itire community, off Mushin Road, have appealed to the Lagos State Police Command for regular patrols following a surge in electric cable thefts.
They also called on the local electricity distribution company to enhance the security of its infrastructure to save residents from frequent and costly repairs.
Speaking with The Guardian, resident Mrs Oluwayemisi Gbadegbo described cable theft as a new and growing issue since October 25, 2024, exacerbated by frequent night-time power outages.
“Recently, we woke up to discover our electric wires had been stolen. It happened between October 25 and 26, and I was shocked to find my wires missing on Saturday morning. The entire street was affected, with even pumping machine wires stolen,” she said.
Gbadegbo reported the incident to the Community Development Association (CDA), which assessed the damage, but she had to spend N20,000 to replace the stolen wires.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that wire theft is a recurring problem in the community, noting that his shop had been targeted multiple times this year.
“They even stole my bulbs, lamp holder, and changeover switch once,” he said. He added that recent heavy rainfalls, often leading to blackouts, have provided cover for thieves to carry out their activities.
“We urgently need police intervention to prevent residents from bearing the constant cost of replacing stolen cables,” another resident stated.
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