Residents of Jonwuron Kparu, a remote village under the Yashikiru Emirate in Kwara State, have apprehended two men accused of stealing solar panels that power the community’s water system.

The panels, which were donated and installed by a non-governmental organization (NGO), serve as the only power source for pumping water in the village.

According to eyewitnesses, the suspects were caught in the act on Saturday, September 27, and were immediately paraded around the community before being tied up as punishment.

“This is the only power source of the pump providing water to the villagers, yet these desperate, heartless fellows decided to steal these panels while destroying two in the process of removal,” a resident wrote on Facebook.

Community members expressed outrage, stressing that the attempted theft could have left hundreds without access to clean water. The case has not yet been confirmed by local security authorities.