Ejiofor Alike
Barely one week after Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) reported the arrest of two suspects, who vandalised the company’s Ekenna Distribution Substation in Ariaria, Abia State, the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), has also announced the arrest of one vandal in Lagos.
Speaking to journalists on the incident, EKEDC’s General Manager in charge of Corporate Communications, Mr. Godwin Idemudia stated that luck ran out on the cable vandal at Thomas Street in Surulere area of Lagos when he was caught in the act by a security guard in the area.
According to Idemudia, the vandal was said to have been caught trying to cart away 4core/70mm cable at Eko Club sub-station.
He added that the security guard who suspected some unusual movement at the sub-station quietly walked to the sub-station where he caught the suspect as he was trying to make away with the electricity cable and other accessories he had already removed.
He was subsequently handed over to the police at Bode Thomas police station
Idemudia urged the communities to be vigilant to guard against activities of cable vandals in their area.
He said the belief by many that workers in the electricity distribution companies were behind vandalism of electricity equipment was totally wrong, adding that no worker of the company has ever been found among those being caught in different communities.
Idemudia further stated that the company will work hand in hand with the police to ensure that the arrested vandal and others caught for similar reason would be duly prosecuted in the law court.
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company had also reported the arrest of two suspects, who vandalised the company’s Ekenna Distribution Substation in Ariaria, Abia State.
According to a statement by the company’s Head of Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, the duo, identified as Obinna Iwu and Ogbonna Ifegbu, who were arrested in possession of the vandalised armoured cables, have been handed over to the police for prosecution.
The statement added that the attack on the Ekenna Distribution Substation is coming few days after the Civil Defence Distribution Substation in Umuahia, Abia State was vandalised by one John Udokachi.
Udokachi, who was allegedly caught while burning off the insulator on the vandalised armoured cable, was also handed over to the Police for further prosecution.
“We are not relenting in our commitment towards tackling this growing trend. We continue to appeal to well meaning and law abiding customers to report any incident and also partner with EEDC in safeguarding installations within their neighborhood, as customers are the worst hit once these installations are vandalised,” the statement added.
The company also commended the efforts and support of vigilante groups and security agencies such as the Civil Defence Corps, the army and the Nigerian Police towards ensuring that this ugly menace is addressed and perpetrators brought to book.