The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) said it is not relenting on its effort in contending with activities of vandals within its network, ensuring until is reduced to the barest minimum.

The company also disclosed that it embarked on this in collaboration with government security agencies and local vigilante groups across its franchise area.

The success of this collaboration can be attributed to the series of arrests so far made by the team. A total of ten vandals were arrested from August 2019 till date, while three have been arraigned in court.

This was made known in a statement issued by the Head of Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh.

Ezeh expressed concern over the increasing rate at which the company’s installations are being attacked by vandals, despite series of engagement and sensitisation to the general public on the negative effect of this on its operations.

According to him, the duo of Chigozie Nwamba, aged 24 years and Chibuike Igboke, aged 20 years, who were arrested for their involvement in vandalising St. Dominic

300KVA distribution substation, located at Umuosum Obinagu Udi, were last week arraigned before the Enugu State Magistrate Court holden in Enugu, where they were slammed with two counts charge. They were later remanded in prison custody at Enugu prison, while the matter was adjourned to September 23, 2019.

Also, a 30 year-old man identified as Moredays Ambrose, who was arrested with some quantity of transformer oil at Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, was arraigned before the Magistrate Court of Abia State Holden at Umuvo/Umuika, where he pleaded guilty on the first three charges, but pleaded not guilty on the fourth charge. He was subsequently remanded in prison custody, while the matter was adjourned to September 12, 2019.

At Ihiala, five suspected vandals were arrested by the vigilante group for being in possession of some electrical materials belonging to EEDC. The vandals who claimed to come from Orizu town in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State are Sunday Nwafor, Godwin Monday, Nwafor Ikechukwu, Chinaemere Oguta and Chinonso Nwafor.

Items in their possession included bare conductor, intermediate cables and feeder pillar box, which they claim were purchased from one Ebubechukwu Ebube and Chike Obijiekwu, who are currently at large.

In a related development, the trio of David Okpani, Agwu Sunday Alazu and the buyer of the stolen items; Siraji Abubakar, were arrested through the efforts of some youths of Ukpa Community in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, for vandalising P&T 200KVA substation, belonging to EEDC.

While two suspects identified as Ezechukwu Emeka and Matthew Agbo were apprehended by members of Ishiagu, Nkalagu community of Ebonyi State, for destroying and selling some components of 300KVA transformer, located in the community. They also confessed to have sold the vandalized items to one Ginika Nwaeze.

Vandalism has been identified as a major challenge negatively impacting on the operations of EEDC, and this take various forms, which include: draining of transformer oil, removal of the feeder pillar unit, intermediate or up-riser cables, transformer winding coil or total removal of the transformer, removal of spans of aluminum conductors and other line fittings such as Port Insulators and Cross-Arms.

“We spend millions of Naira on monthly basis to replace and repair vandalised facilities, coupled with the revenue loss incurred by the business as a result of this challenge.

“While we commend the effort of the various communities and their youths, government security agencies and local vigilante groups in the fight against vandalism, we call on our customers and the general public to join in this fight towards the eradication of the menace.

“There is no way we can sustain our operations and deliver quality and improved service to our customers if this situation is not brought under control.”