Fides Media Living the Faith
By Ikeugonna Eleke
A student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Samuel Ebuka Umenze, and four others, have been arrested for vandalizing power equipment belonging to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
Umenze, an indigene of Amesi, Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State, was arrested for joining others in vandalizing power equipment within the school premises.
The culprit, a first-year student of Agric Extension, was arrested at the school premises by the institution’s internal security, while large quantities of peeled coated cables and sophisticated equipment used for vandalism were recovered from his room.
Mr. Emeka Ezeh, Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, who revealed this in a press release, said the suspect had confessed to the crime and claimed he carried out the criminal act alone.
Ezeh said: ‘He confessed that he sells his loot to a buyer in Onitsha. Investigation is already ongoing to arrest the receiver of these vandalized items.
‘Meanwhile, on Monday, at Oshituma, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, three vandal suspects identified as Fleke Kingsley, Egbo Friday, and Okefe Stanley, were also arrested by the community vigilante.
‘They were in possession of 3 bags containing about 6 spans of aluminum conductors suspected to belong to EEDC.
‘Also, recently at Abakaliki, a suspect identified as Chinemere Obiah, was arrested by civil security guards attached to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, in possession of upriser cables suspected to belong to EEDC.’
Ezeh lamented that incidences of theft of power equipment were increasing by the day.
‘This is inconveniencing our customers and making us deploy the scarce resources meant for other projects into the replacement of the vandalised items and this is no longer sustainable,’ he said.
Ezeh said the arrested vandals had been handed over to the police for detailed investigation and possible prosecution.