Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Five field workers of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company were on Monday attacked, injured and arrested by consumers in Rumuekini, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, while attempting to disconnect supply over nonpayment of electricity bills.
The attack which occurred at Redemption Street in Rumuekini, was allegedly carried out by a retired police officer and a serving officer of the Special Anti- Robbery Squad, while the field workers were engaged in their official task of load/phase balancing responsible for the low voltage being experienced in the area.
The retired police officer, identified as Mr Simon Ede with electricity account number 826516124001, according the the Disco, was approached for verification of his electricity bill and discovered that he had not paid his electricity bill since December 2021.
PHED Head, Corporate Communications, Mr John Anonyai, explained that the customer insisted not to pay electricity bills after he was advised of the need to pay his bill, which led the field workers to mount ladder in a bid to disconnect his power supply.
“In the process of disconnecting his premises from supply, he forcefully hit and pushed down the PHED staff from the ladder and started biting and inflicting injuries on the staff, he went further to invite a serving officer to arrest the other members of PHED staff at the scene of the incident.
“A recorded video captured the ugly moment revealing the despicable act of the ex-cop disfiguring the Disco staff with multiple bites in quick succession while others scampered for safety.
“Mr Ede did not end his show of aggression after such life-threatening assault but proceeded to call his accomplice who is a serving police officer attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad to arrest the other four PHED staff.
“The detained team were later released after they had made entries at the police station. Meanwhile, the injured staff is currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed specialist hospital.”
Anonyai said the management of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc. has received with dismay the report on the involvement of a retired police officer and the Special Anti- Robbery Squad officer, who assaulted, injured, and arrested five members of their staff.
He announced that plans are underway to commence legal proceedings against the assailants, noting that the company will pursue the case to a logical conclusion.
“It is unconceivable and condemnable that a retired police officer would go to such length in assaulting a fellow human being especially one going about his normal course of business.
“PHED wish to state clearly that such irresponsible behaviour and abuse is unacceptable. The MD/CEO of the PHED, Dr Henry Ajagbawa, has directed the company’s legal team to commence legal proceedings against the assailants; the company will pursue the case to a logical conclusion.”
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