More than 10,000 residents of the Okoerin community in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara have been in darkness for over a fortnight.

The outage followed the alleged theft of two transformers serving the community by some unknown people.

Affected residents said that cables and other vital components or accessories of the two transformers were vandalised in the nights by yet to be identified criminals.

One of the transformers located along Okoerin road was completely removed, while the cables and other vital items of the other transformers located along Mustapha Sedan Street, off Okoerin road, were carted away.

Consequently, the current blackout had paralyzed socio-economic activities in the area, with artisans whose jobs required electricity, as the worst victims.

The Chairman of the Residents Association of Mustapha Sedan Street, in Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullah Ibrahim, lamented that the blackout has created untold hardship and economic losses.

Ibrahim said he had reported the incident to the B Division of the Nigeria Police at Surulere, llorin, for investigation, recovery, and possible arrest of the vandals.

Mallam ldrees Animashaun, a POS operator and Dry cleaner along Mustapha Sedan Street, also confirmed that his business has been adversely by the blackout and appealed for intervention.

He specifically called on the state government and lbadan Electricity Distribution Company (lBEDC) to come to the aid of the community by restoring the normal power supply.

“We cannot bear the cost of any of the two stolen transformers, we are appealing to our amiable Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to come to our aid,” Animashaun said.

A one-time chairman of the defunct llorin local government area, Alhaji Oba Adebayo, who is one of the elders in the area, also appealed to the governor to rescue the community from total darkness.

The former council boss, who is an Octogenarian, lamented that over 10,000 residents affected by the blackout are now finding it difficult to survive, especially those whose jobs depended on electricity.

Adebayo similarly appealed to the member representing llorin central constituency at the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Olawoyin-Magaji, to help the community.

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Reacting to the incident, the Communication Officer of lBEDC, Mr. Asaju Kolawole, cases of vandalism of their installation and equipment, including transformers and cables, were becoming rampant in several parts of llorin metropolis.

Kolawole, who did not promise any succour for the affected residents, said the company had reported acts of vandalism and theft of transformers to security agencies in the state.