A Chief Magistrates Court sitting in Bende, Abia State Local Government Area of Abia State has sentenced one Mr. Onuorah Godswill, to three years imprisonment for vandalising bare conducting wire property belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distributing Company (EEDC).

The convict, who hails from Okoko Item in Bende Local Government area of the state, was sentenced without an option of fine. Onuorah, who pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of stealing, was arrested by some natives of the area.

A statement signed by the EEDC’s Head of Communications, Mr Emeka Ezeh, made available to journalists in Enugu, said the development was a clear indication that the plea by EEDC for stakeholders’ partnership and involvement in the protection of electrical installations within their neighborhood, is yielding the desired result.

Ezeh disclosed that vandals are being apprehended in their numbers by the various vigilante groups across the South-East. According to him, recently five persons identified as Chinedu Anike, Emenike Okoye, Chidera Nweke, Chukwu Onyekachi and Emmanuel Mathew, were apprehended for vandalising a distribution sub-station, property of EEDC, located in Awgu Local Government Area of the Enugu State. The suspects who confessed to committing the crime have been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Enugu police command.

In a related development, Onyedika Dike and Echezona Obisike were arrested by men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for vandalising EEDC distribution sub-station at Uhualla Osina Community, Orlu local government area of Imo State.

While Izuchukwu Ibe and Kingsley Ugochukwu were behind the vandalised EEDC distribution sub-station located at Umuzeike, Orlu, Imo State; and the duo of John Mary Anakor and Kosarachi Anagworo, who hail from Oji River and Nsukka respectively were arrested for attacking EEDC sub-station at Eke Junction in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

At the Quarry area of Umuoghara in Ezza North Local government area of Ebonyi State, Chukwuka Oken and Monday Otubo were arrested for vandalising a 500KVA distribution sub-station belonging to EEDC while a four-man gang was arrested by members of Elugwu Community of Bende Local government area of Abia State, for vandalising a transformer at Ndielu in Ugwueke. The suspects, Favour Ukala, Jude Chimezie, Uchegbu James Nwobodo and Elijah Okpara were taken to Uzuakoli Police Division for investigation and possible prosecution.

Ezeh stated that the increased rate of vandalism calls for concerted effort by members of the public and the law enforcement agents, stressing that it constitutes economic sabotage. So far he said, the company spends substantial amounts of money repairing and replacing vandalised equipment while achieving considerable success in prosecuting arrested vandals.

To this end, EEDC has reiterated its commitment towards fighting vandalism; and called on well meaning and law abiding citizens to join hands in fighting the menace.

The statement commended “the efforts of various vigilante groups, Civil Defence Corps, the Army and the Nigerian Police who have worked tirelessly to ensure that those behind these heinous acts are brought to book.”