Anambra community condemns assault on EEDC officials, vehicle destruction

By Cyprian Ebele, Oniitsha

The people of Nanka community, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra state, have condemned in totality the action of one of their sons, Izuchukwu Ofojama, who allegedly assaulted the staff of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and damaged their vehicle while on official assignment in Enugwu-Nanka.

The President General of the community, Rev. Canon Ifeanyichukwu Ezeike made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen shortly after visiting Ekwulobia District office of EEDC to appease the company over the actions of Izuchukwu, who has been at large after the incident.

It was gathered that Izuchukwu in a trending viral video on the social media, was alleged to have been consuming electricity illegally without paying, and could not present evidence of payment upon demand by the EEDC team.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the failure to present evidence of Bill payment prompted the EEDC team to disconnect his premises which he resisted.

It was learnt that when he was eventually disconnected, he got raged and not only did he assault the EEDC officials, he used a log of wood to smash the front and rear wind shields of their vehicle along with the side mirrors and also used a screwdriver to puncture the two rear tyres of the vehicle.

Ezeike described the incident as very unfortunate and unwarranted and expressed the community’s intention to settle the matter amicably, and their commitment to repair the damages on the vehicle, reiterating that the whole community condemned the action.

“we don’t think the young man was in his right senses. The entire village and town also condemned his action.”he said.

The president general and Izuchukwu’s brother who visited the Ekwulobia District office of EEDC were received by the Head of Security, Mr. Frank Ejiofor and Head of Health, Safety and Environment, Francis Iwu, alongside with the District Business Manager, EEDC Ekwulobia District, Jachi Umunna.

Responding, the EEDC Public Relations Officer, Emeka Eze, Ejiofor condemned the assault on the staff of the organization, especially while discharging their legitimate duties and called on the customers to always make use of the established complaint redress channels to express their grievances, stressing that the company does not tolerate such action by anyone or group.

He commended the community and its leadership for their stand in condemning in its entirety, the action of their kinsman while insisting that they provide him, saying that the company will stop at nothing in prosecuting anyone that assaults any of its staff on duty.

Ejiofor emphasized that the company has the highest regard for its customers and does not encourage customers resorting to violence as a way of expressing their grievances.