A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Bende, Abia State has sentenced Mr. Onuorah Godswill, a native of Okoko Item in Bende Local Government Area of the State to three years imprisonment, without an option of fine.
Onuorah, who pleaded guilty to a one count charge of stealing, was arrested by some natives for vandalizing bare conductor wire, property of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
He committed the act along veterinary road, Okoko Item in Bende, Abia State.
DAILY POST reports that his sentence came few days after five other men identified as Chinedu Anike, Emenike Okoye, Chidera Nweke, Chukwu Onyekachi and Emmanuel Mathew, were apprehended for vandalising a distribution substation, property of EEDC, located in Awgu, Enugu State.
The suspects who reportedly confessed to committing the crime have been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Enugu.
In another development, Onyedika Dike and Echezona Obisike were arrested by men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for vandalising EEDC distribution substation at Uhualla Osina Community, Orlu, Imo State.
Others arrested within the same period are Izuchukwu Ibe and Kingsley Ugochukwu, who were alleged to b behind the vandalized EEDC distribution substation located at Umuzeike, Orlu, Imo State.
The duo of John Mary Anakor and Kosarachi Anagworo, who hail from Oji River and Nsukka respectively were arrested for attacking EEDC substation at Eke Junction in Udi Local government Area.
At the Quarry area of Umuoghara in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State, Chukwuka Oken and Monday Otubo were arrested for vandalising a 500KVA distribution substation belonging to EEDC, while a four-man gang was arrested by members of Elugwu Community of Bende LGA, Abia State for vandalizing a transformer at Ndielu in Ugwueke.
The suspects, Favour Ukala, Jude Chimezie, Uchegbu James Nwobodo and Elija Okpara were taken to Uzuakoli Police Division for investigation and possible prosecution.
Meanwhile, Mr. Emeka Ezeh the Head, Communications, EEDC, told DAILY POST that “these development are clear indication that the plea by EEDC for stakeholder partnership and involvement in the protection of electrical installations within their neighborhood, is yielding the desired result, as vandals are being apprehended in their numbers by the various Vigilante groups across the South East.
“The increased rate of vandalism calls for concerted effort by members of the public and the law enforcement agents, as it constitutes economic sabotage.
“So far, the company expends substantial amounts of money repairing and replacing vandalised equipment while achieving considerable success in prosecuting arrested vandals.
“EEDC wishes to reiterate its commitment towards fighting vandalism and calls on well meaning and law abiding citizens to join hands in fighting this menace.
“We commend the efforts of various Vigilante groups, Civil Defence Corps, the Army and the Nigerian Police who have worked tirelessly to ensure that those behind these heinous acts are brought to book.”
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