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EEDC Nabs, Hands Over Eight Vandals To Police 

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Enugu Electricity Distri bution Company (EEDC), has apprehended eight suspected vandals of electrical installations and handed them over to the Police. The Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Enugu, stated that the vandals were apprehended within a period of one month in different states in the South-East. Ezeh, therefore, attributed service disruptions experienced in some parts of its network to activities of vandals, expressing regret that the increasing rate of vandalism had adversely affected the company’s service delivery to its customers in the affected states.   He, however commended the support of critical stakeholders and the various vigilante groups in nipping trend in the bud, even as he confirmed that most of the arrests were made by the vigilant groups. According to him, this recent citizens’ arrest of vandals can be attributed to the consistent engagement with stakeholders on the need to ensure that the electrical installations sited within their neighbourhoods are protected.   His words: “Over the weekend, a suspected vandal identified as Nonso Nwajonta, was arrested in possession of aluminum conductors (cables) by the youths of Ulakwo Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. “Within the same period, with the assistance of security men attached to Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, two suspects, feanyi Onwe and Anthony Oselebe, were arrested for vandalising a substation belonging to EEDC, situated along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, by Pioneer Students Hostel. “Earlier in the month, at Uzuakoli, Abia State, the Ngwu relief distribution substation belonging to EEDC was attacked by vandals, and the up-riser cable carted away. “But with the intervention of Uzuakoli vigilante group, one of the vandals identified as Henry Nwachukwu was arrested, while three of his partners in crime took to their heels. Efforts are being made by the Police to arrest the fleeing suspects. “At Eziafor in Abia State, some members of vigilante group also arrested the duo of Kingsley Agwu and Ebere Uchendu, while vandalising a feeder panel, property of EEDC,” he stated.  The EEDC spokesman also recalled that toward the end of August this year, one Chukwuka Ogayi was arrested by members of Umuoru Amaechi Community electricity committee in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State while vandalising a distribution transformer belonging to EEDC. According to him, items recovered from the suspect, Ogayi, include 100mm 2 aluminum conductor with 20mm and 50mm double copper conductor measuring 5 meters.    “Similarly, the Nkpor vigilante group arrested one Ubaka Okafor for vandalising Umusiome distribution substation in Onitsha, Anambra State,  carting away three intermediate cables as well as the up-riser cable property of EEDC.  “Customers being fed by the attacked substations are currently subjected to blackout and untold inconveniences, and as a result, EEDC has not been able to live up to its responsibility owing to these acts perpetrated by the suspects”, he said.  He also encouraged customers to be more vigilant in ensuring that the electricity infrastructures within their environment are safe from vandals, so that the services EEDC offers to them would not be disrupted.

By: Canice Amadi, Enugu

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FRSC To Begin 24-Hour Patrol To Curb Crashes

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The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, yesterday lamented the spate of fatal road crashes in September.
He specifically raised concerns about the accidents that occurred on September 8 in Niger; September 12 in Sabon Wuse, and September 15 in Kaduna State.
These three incidents, according to him, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 91 lives. Speaking during a meeting with fleet operators and other stakeholders in Abuja, Mohammed expressed frustration that despite the government’s efforts to provide and maintain transport facilities according to global standards, many drivers continue to undermine these efforts with reckless behavior on the roads.
“In the last month or thereabouts, the corps witnessed three landmark crashes that were caused by negligence, fatigue, speeding, night trips, and dangerous driving.
“These three landmark crashes include that of Niger State, which occurred on September 8, 2024, and killed 48 people; that of September 12, 2024, which killed 18 people in Sabon Wuse; and that of September 15, 2024, which happened in Kaduna State and led to the death of 25 people. These three crashes alone, which proved to have been obviously avoidable, claimed the lives of 91 people. This is alarming and it calls for concern.”
Mohammed ordered commanding officers to ensure round-the-clock enforcement of traffic laws.
He also disclosed that a special operation would be conducted to address the incessant accidents recorded across the country.
Mohammed said, “I am compelled to state that the spate of crashes recently recorded is, however, very disturbing, and every step must be taken to avert continued future occurrences. It is against this backdrop that I have directed Commanding Officers to ensure round-the-clock enforcement of traffic offenses to mitigate these excesses. A special patrol operation will be instituted, and enforcement will be carried out nationwide.”

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Jubilation As Rivers Community Gets New Paramount Ruler

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There was jubilation in Kpean community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State following the installation of Engr Lucky Ewoh as the new paramount ruler of the community.
Sources from the community had it that Lucky who is from the Gbene-Ewoh royal family of Kpean succeeded Chief Nwineh Bariyiramue who was allegedly deposed by the community.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen during the installation ceremony, former chairman of the governing council of Kpean community Prof Patrick Nwinyokpugi said the people are happy over the emergence of Engr. Lucky Gbene-Ewoh as their new paramount ruler.
Prof. Nwinyokpugi said this can be seen from the massive turnout of both men and women for the installation as well as the celebration across the community.
He alleged that the former paramount ruler was deposed following his inability to restore peace to Kpean as well as check the incessant cult killings in the community.
“Some years ago, we got a judgment in favour of the deposed chief, but four years down the line, lots of atrocities have happened. Just last month a young boy was murdered and his head severed off his body, heart and private part taken away and the matter was not reported to the police by the deposed chief”, he said.
Prof. Nwinyokpugi said the community has confidence that the new chief will not derail and describe it as a new dawn in the community.
Also speaking, the youth leader of Kpean Community, Comrade Lemii D. Petaba said the installation of Chief Lucky Ewoh at the community sacred square , shows its acceptability not only by the people by also by the gods of the land.
According to him, “today the Gene-Ewoh royal family is introducing a new paramount ruler to us and the people are happy”
He said the occasion was to officially install him and to do the traditional rights that follows.
Speaking later with newsmen, the new paramount ruler, Chief Lucky Gbene-Ewoh thanked his people for the confidence reposed on him, promising not to fail them.
He also pledged to ensure the returns of peace to the community.
Meanwhile, efforts made to reach the alleged former paramount ruler proved abortive as neither his phone contact nor his residential address in Portharcourt could be reached.

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Kano Dissolves 44 LG Caretaker Excos

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The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has dissolved the caretaker chairmen of all the 44 Local Government Areas in the State.
The governor announced the dissolution at a special meeting held at the Government House, Kano, on Wednesday.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature.
This comes a week after the state House of Assembly approved a two-month extension for the caretaker chairmen, as their tenure expired on September 8, 2024.
The extension, slated to run from September 9 to November 9, 2024, was to ensure continuity in local governance.
The governor, however, dissolved the council, as the council election had been slated for October 26, 2024.
“With local government elections scheduled for October 26, 2024, Governor Abba Yusuf has directed the caretaker chairmen to hand over leadership of the councils to their respective Directors of Personnel Management.
“This dissolution applies to all chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries, and councillors,” the statement read.
The governor thanked the caretaker chairmen for their contributions to the development of their areas and hinted at potential future collaborations.
However, he warned the DPMs against political interference and asked them to discharge their duties as required by law.
“We are warning the DPMs to make sure they do not interfere in any political activities as respected civil servants but to discharge their duties as required by the law.
“I have directed the anti-corruption commission to arrange a seminar for them to enhance their capacity,” the governor said.
The caretaker chairmen also thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve their communities.

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