President General of Nanka community, Anambra state , Nigeria, Rev. Canon Ifeanyichukwu Ezeike, has condemned the assault of Enugu Electricity Distribitiion Company ( EEDC) officials by an indigene of the town, Izuchukwu Ofojama, who assaulted the staff of the EEDC and damaged their vehicle while on official assignment in Enugwu-Nanka Community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday, the 11th May, 2024.
Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Emeka in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday,May 18, said the President General, 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.
In a viral video trending on the social media, Izuchukwu, who has been illegally consuming electricity without paying, could not 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 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. He also used a screwdriver to puncture the two rear tyres of the vehicle.
L-R: The District Business Manager, EEDC Ekwulobia District, Jachi Umunna; Onyekwere Ofojama (brother to the culprit, Izuchukwu Ofojama); President General of Nanka, Rev. Canon Ifeanyichukwu Ezeike; Head of Security, EEDC, Mr. Frank Ejiofor, and Head of Health, Safety & Environment, Dr. Francis Iwu, after the meeting.
Ezeike described the incident as very unfortunate and unwarranted. He 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.
In his words, “we don’t think the young man was in his right senses. The entire village and town also condemned his action.”
The duo was received at Ekwulobia District by the team from EEDC Corporate Headquarters, led by the Head of Security, Frank Ejiofor and Head of Health, Safety & Environment, Dr. Francis Iwu, along with the District Business Manager, EEDC Ekwulobia District, Jachi Umunna.
Responding , Ejiofor frowned at situations where staff of the organization were attacked while discharging their legitimate duties and called on 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.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama