The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old man identified as Peter over alleged transformer vandalism following an explosion at Agbo Ntoe Layout, Boulevard Road 2, off Parliamentary Extension, Calabar.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, October 12, 2026, at about 2:21 a.m., when residents reportedly heard a loud explosion from their electricity transformer.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, residents later rushed to the scene and found the suspect lying on the ground with burn injuries across his body.
The incident was reported to the police at about 10:15 a.m. by one Emmanuel and other residents, who said the explosion had disrupted electricity supply to the area.
Following the report, officers from B Division, Calabar, visited the scene, rescued the injured suspect and took him to the police station before arranging medical attention at a hospital.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly mentioned individuals to whom he sells items and reportedly admitted to previous acts of transformer vandalism in the area.
The police said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the explosion, determine the extent of the alleged criminal activity and identify other persons who may be connected to the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, warned that the vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure threaten public safety and disrupt essential services.
He urged residents to report suspicious activities around transformers, electricity cables and other public utility installations to the nearest police station instead of confronting suspected offenders themselves.
The command also stressed that the suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence while investigations continue.
Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses, the police said.
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