No fewer than 78 cases of cable vandalism have been recorded by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) since January, an official has said.
The Head of Communications at EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, in a statement in Enugu on Wednesday lamented the high rate of vandalism within eight months of the year.
“So far, we have recorded no fewer than 78 cases of vandalism across the South East states between January 2016 and now; and we have also expended a substantial amount of money repairing and replacing vandalised equipment.
“We wish to once again reiterate our continued commitment toward tackling this growing trend and call on well-meaning and law-abiding customers to join hands with us to fight this ugly menace.
“For those that patronise the vandals, we want them to know that they are equally culpable, as they are aiding and encouraging the vandals.
“We wish to inform them that we shall be extending our investigation to them; they are, therefore, advised to desist from this act,’’ it said.
It noted that the cost implication of replacing the installations rans into millions of naira.
“This is seriously impacting negatively on the efficiency of EEDC in meeting its commitment to her customers.
“The increasing rate of this act of economic sabotage calls for a concerted effort by members of the public and law enforcement agents,’’ it said.
Meanwhile, the statement recalled that the police in Enugu had arrested an electric transformer vandal, who also sells vandalised armoured cables in the Kenyatta Electricals Market, Enugu.
“The suspect, who is a father of five, was nabbed in Emene near Enugu on Tuesday by the police in partnership with members of the community,’’ it said.
It also revealed that four vandals were recently caught in Umuahia while vandalising Udi Street Distribution Sub-Station belonging to the company.
“It took the intervention of a private security man attached to a fast food eatery in Umuahia who apprehended one of the vandals and raised an alarm.
“The alarm attracted a police team on patrol that eventually assisted in arresting the remaining three,’’ it added.
The statement noted that the vandals would soon be charged to court, adding that EEDC was recording considerable success in prosecuting such vandals.
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