Three Benin Disco Officials Caught with Electricity Materials in Delta

Three Benin Disco Officials Caught with Electricity Materials in Delta 

*Community frown at police hasty release of suspects

Three officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) were today arrested for allegedly stealing electricity materials at Issele-Uku, administrative headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was learnt that the three suspects were allegedly caught with electricity items from vandalised electricity facilities in the locality, which have for many months suffered interrupted power supply.

Specifically, the suspects had in their illegal possession vandalized installation  parts from the step-down transformer in the community and were said to be carting the vital parts of equipment to a neighbouring town when they were apprehended by members of local vigilance group who then handed them over the police.

I was further learnt that the suspects had admitted to the crime in their confessional statement to the police, even as they reportedly confessed to the crime and allegedly fingered a top official of the local government council in the  matter.

However, community sources have said  that the initial jubilation among the people following the arrests have died down as reports filtered in later today that the suspects had been released from police custody "following the intervention of some powerful elements in the community."

Nevertheless, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mrs Celestina Kalu, could not confirm the incident, saying her office was yet to be notified of the incident.

Meanwhile, the Regent in-charge of traditional affairs in Issele-Uku community, Prince Dominick Egbune, expressed disappointment with the management of the Aniocha North council and the BEDC over the development.

Egbune maintained that but for the peaceful disposition of the community youths, who allegedly caught the vandals and seized their vehicles, the suspects would have been lynched before the police stepped into the matter.

The traditional head of the Issele-Uku expressed regret for what he described as "the hasty release of the suspects" by the police.

A resident of the town who identified himself as Mr Nwuegbuzue, alleged that officials of the BEDC were often found to be accomplices in the notorious act of electricity installation vandalism which threw the community into darkness.

 "A novice cannot vandalize electrical installation",  he said, adding "This act of vandalism by electricity companies is prevalent in Delta State; it must be addressed urgently."