Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has handed over three assailants who attacked its men on official duty to the police.

Its spokesman, Emeka Ezeh, told journalists in Enugu on Sunday that the assaulted officials went to disconnect the supply to some energy thieves on Friday but were attacked by the cheats who resisted the move.

He said the assailants had been using power at their residence in the Abakpa Nike area of Enugu for years without paying any bill and extended the power supply to an adjoining building.

“When EEDC officials visited the premises, the occupants claimed they had a prepaid meter, an indication that they should not be disturbed with disconnection.

“The EEDC officials carefully inspected the building and discovered there was no such prepaid meter and thereafter requested evidence of payment, which was not provided.

“It was then that they carried out the disconnection, and as was customary, they were about to hand over the disconnection notice to the assailants when they were attacked.”

Mr Ezeh said some officials were also attacked in Imeama Iwollo in Ezeagu Local Government Area on November 18 when they attempted to disconnect the power supply due to residents’ huge debts.

“The debtor resisted the disconnection, ran to his shrine and brought out a knife to attack the EEDC officials before he was apprehended by the police,” Mr Ezeh said.

He decried attacks on the company’s officials when they went out to disconnect the power supply to debtors or electricity thieves and said that the company would not sit back idly.

Mr Ezeh noted that attacks on the company’s officials ranged from beating, dragging them down from ladders, seizure of ladders, the release of dogs on the officials and hostage-taking to damage of operational vehicles.

He said energy theft and refusal to pay for power consumed were the major challenges the company had been facing.

(NAN)