30 December 2014, Benin – Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has lamented the harassment of its staff by youths of Iyahmo community in Etsako West local Government area of Edo State over a disagreement with its officials and security agents attached to the company.
The youths and other electricity consumers in the area, it was gathered, allegedly attacked staff of the company, policemen and officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) attached to BEDC.
To this end, the police said they have charged two youths of the community to court over the alleged attacks on its men and the staff of BEDC.
Two of the police officers were said to have been hospitalised with broken ankles, while one NSCDC personnel was also hospitalised.
A source at the Nigerian Electricity Regulating Commission (NERC) said that the agency had received a petition from BEDC over the youth’s alleged tripping of the 33KV line that pass through Iyahmo community each time supply is restored.
According to the source, the tripping of the line affected electricity supply in Auchi community including the Nigerian Army school of Engineering in the area.
The NERC source stated that the crisis started after some youths from the community, which was disconnected on the ground of indebtedness to BEDC, Auchi Business District to the tune of N3.362 million, allegedly stormed the office of BEDC Auchi Business District and Urban Service unit respectively, requesting for an immediate restoration of electricity supply to the community.
The source said, “It took the intervention of the State Commissioner of Police and the Director of State Security Service (SSS) of Edo State for peace to be restored between the community and BEDC
– Vanguard