The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has disclosed that in a significant breakthrough against vandalism and theft of electrical facilities, some residents of New Benin community, Benin City, Edo State capital, apprehended two persons suspected to be responsible for transformer vandalism in Benin North under the BEDC Electricity Plc’s franchise area.
The names of the suspects were given as Eghosa Izevbokun and Eden Ubong, who were caught with stolen transformer parts items from various sub-stations.
BEDC’s head of branding and corporate communication, Mrs. Evelyn Gbiwen, in a statement made available to The Pointer, said Izevbokun was caught with 10 meters of copper wire from a 500kva transformer at 3rd Cemetery road and 20 meters of 500mm2 cable from a 500kva sub-station at Old Rubber Board roas, Benin City, while Eden Ubong, who posed as a BEDC Staff with a fake identity card, was apprehended with 70mm2 by 7 meters of cable from Play House, 200 kva sub-station and 70mm2 by 7 meters of cable from Iyayi 500 kva sub-station.
Gbiwen, Head, Branding and Corporate Communication of BEDC Electricity Plc, emphasized the company’s commitment to combating vandalism. “We are resolute in our fight against vandalism, as it not only affects our operations but tarnishes our reputation. We urge communities to be vigilant and guard their sub-stations, as we work together to prevent these malicious acts.”
“BEDC appeals to communities to report any suspicious activities around substations and to support the company’s efforts in combating vandalism”, Gbiwen said, adding that “together, we can protect our infrastructure and ensure reliable power supply.”
