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The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has arrested four vandals of electricity installation worth millions of naira in its coverage areas within two weeks.
The company also secured a conviction of another vandal who was sentenced three years imprisonment.
The Head, Communications EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, said this in a statement signed by him and issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday.
Ezeh said that the company would not relent in its commitment towards fighting vandalism; adding that EEDC would continue to count on the support of customers and other well-meaning citizens in fighting the menace of vandals.
“One Tochukwu Onwe was apprehended by members of a vigilante group at Amuda Community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State for vandalizing Nwankwo Elom Distribution Substation, a property of EEDC located along Enugu-Abakaliki Road.
“Tochukwu, who was immediately handed over to the police state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Abakaliki for further investigation and possible prosecution, vandalised all components of the Feeder Pillar, and 300mm 2 x 4 core of in-comer cables measuring about six meters.
“Also at Amachalla Avuvu, Ikeduru, Imo State, men of the Nigerian Police arrested three young men identified as Uchenna Opara, Kenneth Ukachi and Chinedu Ukadiala for destroying EEDC cable lines at Amachalla Avuvu Ikeduru Local Government Area, Imo State.
“They are currently undergoing interrogation at the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Headquarters, Owerri,’’ he said.
According to him, EEDC got a conviction of a vandal to three years imprisonment in Orsu in IMO State last week
“Abdul Ali (33) from Adamawa State was last week sentenced to three years imprisonment by Ahizechukwu D. O at the Magistrate Court of Orsu Magisterial District Holden at Awo Idemili for vandalizing a 300KVA distribution Substation belonging to EEDC at Ekeututu in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
“He was arrested by members of a vigilante group for removing four intermediate cables and one up-riser cable from the Ekeututu Distribution Substation.
“He, however, confessed to having carried out the clandestine act with an accomplice identified as Boniface, who is currently on the run.
“He pleaded guilty to the two count charge of stealing and other offences and has been taken to Owerri Prisons where he will serve his term which will run concurrently,’’ he said.
Ezeh, however, commended the various vigilante groups, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Army and police for their efforts in ensuring that these vandals are apprehended and prosecuted.
“We still calling on our customers to join hands with EEDC and assist in protecting these installations within their neighbourhoods, as they will be inconvenienced once they are vandalized,’’ he added.
Last month, over 18 vandals were apprehended by various vigilante groups and security agencies within EEDC coverage areas in the South East.
While one Onuorah Godswill, a native of Okoko Item in Bende Local Government Area was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Chief Magistrate Court in Bende, Abia State for vandalizing bare conductor wire, a property of EEDC.
