By EMMANUEL ANTSWEN

The management of Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc has condemned an alleged assault and intimidation of its personnel by the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), Makurdi, Benue.

JED’s condemnation was conveyed in a statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, Ms Saratu Dauda, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

Dauda said the incident occurred at the North Bank Injection Substation in Makurdi.

She said the management frowned at the assault, which was led by a senior officer supported by other soldiers.

Dauda said that on February 12th and 14th at about 11pm, the senior officer, accompanied by armed soldiers, broke into the Injection Substation at the North Bank.

She alleged that while they were inside the station, they physically molested the Distribution System Operator (DSO) on duty, Mr James Ochepo, over a power outage on the 11kV Daudu Feeder.

“The officer reportedly threatened the staff member and confiscated his personal belongings.

“He later came back that same night with a handful of soldiers and beat the distribution system operator to stupor after smashing his head and causing severe injury to his hands.

“He was later rushed to the hospital for medical attention by a good Samaritan after being abandoned in a pool of his blood by the soldiers, where he is currently recuperating,” she said.

Dauda added that the company explained that despite the prevailing dwindling allocation to the state and humongous outstanding indebtedness by the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) to JED Plc, the company has continued to provide daily power supply to the army school.

“As a precautionary measure to safeguard its personnel, the company has temporarily withdrawn its staff from the injection substation.

“JED has escalated the matter to the Department of State Services (DSS), the Commissioner of Police, and the Benue State Government, while seeking intervention from relevant federal authorities,” it said. (NAN)

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