2 convicted, 4 in police net for vandalizing EEDC property

By Madu Obi

The Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has sentenced two persons, Chinonso Chinaemelu, 27, and Okoye Chisom Christian, 20, to one year imprisonment respectively for allegedly vandalizing a distribution substation belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC).

The Head, Corporate Communications of EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh said they were arrested on 29th of November 2023 by Abatete local vigilante group in Idemili North local government area while attempting to vandalize the distribution substation within the locality.

Ezeh also said that a couple, Mr & Mrs Ebuka Umeh, were arrested by some members of Isuorji community neighborhood security in Orlu, Imo State, when Ebuka’s wife was attempting to pick the vandalized items from a distribution substation in their motorcycle.

According to him, the couple attacked the substation for three days, adding that in his confessional statement, Ebuka testified that the vandalized items were sold to scrap dealers.

He said that the suspects have been handed over to Orlu Police Division for proper investigation, while efforts are on to arrest the scrap dealers.

In a related development, a suspect identified as Chukwuebuka Ezike who hails from Umunachi in Orsu local government area of Imo State was arrested by Umuezinachi community neighborhood watch while he was allegedly cutting aluminum conductor around Orie Uguiri Market.

Also at Amachi-Izhia, Ebonyi State, one Amara Joseph Ajagbo was arrested by members of the Electricity Committee for vandalizing nine spans of aluminum conductors in their community, while two of his gang members escaped.

The suspects have been handed over to the respective Police formations for proper investigation and possible prosecution.

Ezeh lamented the spate of vandalism in the EEDC network, describing it as a major challenge to the smooth operations of the company.

According to him, between January 2022 to date, the company recorded over 170 cases of vandalism in its network, with about 135 suspected vandals arrested, out of which over 100 have been charged to court.

He stressed that EEDC will not relent in its resolve to prosecute the arrested suspects and fish out receivers of the vandalized items as they remain the motivation for the vandals.

He said that it has become difficult for the organization to fund the restoration of vandalized infrastructure, adding that the development is affecting service delivery to customers.

Ezeh appreciated the various communities that have committed to joining hands with EEDC to contain activities of vandals and called on others to do the same because once the electricity infrastructure is attacked, customers will be subjected to blackout for a while.