The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company says at least 170 incidents of electrical installation vandalism were reported in the South-East within two years and two months.

The company also said about 135 suspected vandals were arrested and handed over to the police at different stations, out of which over 100 have been charged to court from January 2022 to date.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by EEDC.

The statement said that last week, a couple identified as Mr and Mrs Ebuka Umeh was arrested by Isuorji community neighbourhood security members in Orlu, Imo when Mr Umeh’s wife attempted to pick up the vandalised items from a distribution substation.

It said the couple attacked the EEDC substation for three days.

“The suspects were handed over to Orlu Police Division for proper investigation, while effort is on to arrest the scrap dealers,” EEDC said.

It noted that recently a suspected vandal, Chukwuebuka Ezike, who hails from Umunachi in Orsu LGA in Imo, was arrested by the Umuezinachi community neighbourhood watch while he was cutting aluminium conductor around Orie Uguiri Market.

“At Amachi-Izhia, Ebonyi state, Joseph Ajagbo was arrested by members of the Electricity Committee for vandalising nine spans of aluminium conductors in their community, while two of his gang members escaped.

“The suspects have been handed over to the respective Police formations for proper investigation and possible prosecution,” the electricity distribution firm explained.

It lamented the spate of vandalism in the EEDC network in the South-East, adding that it was a major challenge negatively impacting the company’s smooth operations.

The EEDC noted that it had become difficult for the organisation to fund the replacement of vandalised infrastructure and that “the development is affecting service delivery to customers.”

(NAN)