The youths of Odiereke Ubie Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State have apprehended an official of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) for allegedly stealing electric wires and transformer cables worth millions of naira.
The youths had accosted the suspect and two other staff of PHED, who managed to escape, leaving behind the apprehended suspect, who upon interrogation revealed that they came from Port Harcourt for the operation.
The suspect was identified as Mr. Divine Bassey, who allegedly said he was sent by a linesman from the Rumukurushi office, a claim that the youths were yet to verify at the time of this report.
The youths claim that it is not the first time that the community has experienced such theft, noting that wires and cables get stolen without a trace, lamenting that it has affected electricity supply in the area.
They also claimed that more than 16 electricity poles and two transformers were allegedly vandalized during the incident, adding that they have handed the suspect over to the police.
The Executive Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Hon. Eugene Chitta Epelle has taken over the matter and has initiated moves for PHED to reconnect the disconnected areas.
