By Praise Chinecherem
Nanka community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State has condemned alleged assault on staff of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) by one of the indigenes, identified as Izuchukwu Ofojama.
Ofojama allegedly damaged the vehicle of the EEDC staff while on official assignment in Enugwu-Nanka Community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
In a viral video trending on the social media, Izuchukwu, who allegedly has been illegally consuming electricity without paying, was said to be unable to present evidence of payment upon demand by the EEDC team.
To this, the team moved to disconnect his premises which he resisted. When he was eventually disconnected, he was said to have gotten raged and not only did he assault the EEDC officials, he allegedly used a log of wood to smash the front and rear wind shields of their vehicle along with the side mirrors. It was also alleged that he used a screwdriver to puncture the two rear tyres of the vehicle.
President General of Nanka, Rev. Canon Ifeanyichukwu Ezeike in company of Onyekwere Ofojama (brother to Izuchukwu Ofojama) were at the Ekwulobia District office of EEDC to appease the company on the ugly action by Izuchukwu who has been at large after the incident.
Describing the incident as unfortunate and unwarranted, Ezeike expressed the community’s intention to settle the matter amicably, and its commitment to repair the damage on the vehicle.
In his words: “We don’t think the young man was in his right senses. The entire village and town also condemned his action.”
Reacting, Head of Security, EEDC Corporate Headquarters, Mr Frank Ejiofor frowned at situations where staff of the organization were attacked while discharging their legitimate duties.
He called on customers to always make use of the established complaint redress channels to express their grievances, saying that the company did not tolerate such action by anyone or group.
He commended the community and its leadership for their stand in condemning the action of their kinsman in its entirety.
While assuring that they would provide the suspect, Ejiofor said the company would stop at nothing in prosecuting anyone that assaults any of its staff on duty.
“EEDC has the highest regard for its customers and does not encourage customers resorting to violence as a way of expressing their grievances,” he added.
The President General and Onyekwere Ofojama were received at Ekwulobia District by the team from EEDC Corporate Headquarters, led by the Head of Security, Mr Frank Ejiofor and Head of Health, Safety & Environment, Dr Francis Iwu, along with the District Business Manager, EEDC Ekwulobia District, Jachi Umunna.
