Hyacinth Chinweuba
The efforts of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) electricity committee and members of various communities in checkmating the activities of vandals are beginning to yield results as some of them (vandals) have been nabbed.
The two suspected vandals identified as Nura Isa, 35 years and Ibrahim Aliyu, 23 years were yesterday, Monday, 3rd August, 2020, apprehended by members of Osisioma Electricity Committee along Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway while vandalizing electricity cables belonging to the EEDC.
The Head of Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh who made this known to newsmen in Enugu today confirmed that the duo were immediately handed over to the Osisioma Police Station, Abia State, for interrogation and further investigation.
According to Ezeh, last month, one Obinna Eze, an indigene of Amaeto Village in Aguata, Anambra State, was arrested by youths of Amichi community for vandalizing Ebenasa 300KVA 33/0.415KV distribution substation, located at Amichi. Part of the items recovered from the suspect include: 4 feeder pillar bars, 4 feeder pillar units and 3 feeder pillar fuses.
It was also gathered that Obinna’s accomplice, who was identified as Izu, fled and is currently at large. However, effort is on to get him arrested along with the buyer, identified as Ebuka, who is in possession of 300mm 2 x 4 single core upriser cables, 10 meters earthen wire, as well as some bolts and nuts.
In a similar development, Emmanuel Osondu Egwu was arrested by members of Ogbu Edda community, Ebonyi State, for vandalizing 300KVA 33/0.415KV distribution substation located in the Community. He was caught in possession of 150mm2 upriser cable and has been handed over to the Afikpo South Divisional Police Headquarter for further investigation.
It will be recalled that EEDC has been expressing concern over the rising cases of vandalism within its network, and appeal to customers to be more vigilant in ensuring that the installations serving them are not vandalized.
Ezeh commended the youths of Amichi, people of Ogbu Edda community, Ebonyi State and members of Osisioma electricity committee, for their support in apprehending these vandals, as well as their interest and ownership attitude which they have exhibited in safeguarding the electrical installations within their environment.
He assured them that EEDC will work closely with the Police to ensure that these suspects are prosecuted so that the law can take its course.
“The activities of these vandals not only affect our organization’s finances, but adversely impact on the quality of services to our customers who are subjected to darkness and untold hardship whenever the electrical installations serving them are vandalized”.
“We are not relenting in our effort in tackling the growing trend of vandalism and also call on well-meaning and law-abiding customers to join hands in this fight”, Ezeh stressed.