Edo Benin City – 70-Year-Old Electrician Escapes Mob After Stealing Customer’s Goods Worth ₦100,000 in Aduwawa
A 70-year-old electrician, identified as Pa Ogbeide, narrowly escaped mob action on Tuesday in Aduwawa, a suburb of Benin City, Edo State, after being accused of defrauding a customer of electrical materials valued at over ₦100,000.
According to eyewitness accounts, Pa Ogbeide was hired to carry out electrical installation work at a private residence in the area. Before commencing the job, he allegedly submitted an estimate for electrical fittings that was later discovered to be grossly inflated by more than ₦100,000.
Trouble reportedly began after the work was completed and the homeowner requested a breakdown of the materials used. Out of about 80 electrical fittings listed in the original quotation, only 30 were found to have been installed. When questioned about the remaining 50 fittings, Pa Ogbeide allegedly failed to provide a clear or satisfactory explanation.
Further suspicion arose when other items said to have been in the electrician’s possession were also reported missing. As news of the alleged fraud spread, youths in the neighbourhood gathered around the elderly man, threatening to beat him for what they described as a betrayal of trust.
Tension escalated quickly, but the situation was de-escalated after the victim of the alleged fraud intervened and pleaded with the angry youths to let Pa Ogbeide go, citing his age and urging that the matter be handled lawfully rather than through mob justice.
Following the incident, the case was formally reported to the police. Sources confirmed that statements have been taken and investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the missing fittings and the alleged inflation of costs.
Residents of Aduwawa say the incident has reignited concerns about fraud, trust, and the growing tendency toward jungle justice in the community. Many have called on residents to always resolve disputes through proper legal channels, regardless of provocation.
As of the time of filing this report, police authorities had not released an official statement, but the matter remains under investigation.