Following a tragic incident at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Hill Station, where a person died while attempting to illegally interfere with an electricity transformer, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) has issued a strong warning.
The deceased attempted to tamper with a transformer that was actively operating on Tuesday, December 29, according to a joint investigation by EDSA and the Sierra Leone Police, according to an official press release dated December 31, 2025. The person was electrocuted while removing a Medium Voltage Riser, and they instantly perished. Later, his body was found next to the transformer.
Upon confirmation of the fatality, EDSA and the police contacted Connaught Hospital Mortuary to take custody of the body and begin burial arrangements in line with established procedures.
But this is not an isolated incident. Similar acts of vandalism and attempted theft of electricity infrastructure have been reported recently in Bo, Kenema, and various areas of Freetown, according to EDSA. Many of these incidents have also resulted in fatalities. These recurring incidents highlight a concerning national trend of unlawful interference with power infrastructure.
EDSA infrastructure has been the target of vandalism for many years, from unauthorized connections to damaged transformers and stolen cables. Economic hardship, illicit scrap trading, and false information about the risks involved are frequently the causes of such acts. However, the effects have gotten worse, impacting not just the supply of electricity but also people’s lives.
EDSA emphasized that only authorized and trained personnel should handle electricity installations due to their extreme danger. The authority cautioned that any attempt to tamper with live equipment puts nearby communities at risk of fire, outages, and long-term power disruptions in addition to putting people at risk of fatal electric shocks.
Beyond the immediate threat, vandalism still hinders the advancement of the country. In addition to adding stress to an already precarious power system and raising maintenance costs that eventually impact consumers, damaged infrastructure causes extended blackouts for residences, hospitals, schools, and businesses.
The authority urged the public to view power infrastructure as shared national assets rather than targets for destruction and strongly denounced all acts of theft, vandalism, and illegal interference with electricity facilities. The public was asked to notify the closest police station of any suspicious activity occurring near EDSA installations.
EDSA acknowledged the human loss caused by the incident and offered condolences to the deceased’s family while denouncing the act. Simultaneously, the authority reaffirmed its dedication to guaranteeing the sustainability, dependability, and safety of the electricity supply throughout Sierra Leone.
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EDSA’s message—that vandalism of power infrastructure is not only unlawful but also lethal—remains clear as incidents like the Hill Station tragedy continue to come to light. In order to save lives and secure the nation’s energy future, the authority maintains that protecting electricity facilities is a shared responsibility.
