BENIN CITY – The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has rewarded youths of Ugbiyoko Community in Edo State, for their gallantry in apprehending two persons who allegedly vandalized a 500KVA electricity transformer at the Leaders College sub-station in the locality.
At a brief ceremony in the corporate Headquarters of BEDC in Benin City where the youths were hosted, the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Mrs Funke Osibodu said the reward was in appreciation of their voluntary service to prevent theft of BEDC installation.
She saluted the courage, determination and commitment of the youths towards protecting the BEDC facilities.
While urging them to continue to collaborate with the distribution company, for the security of its facilities, the BEDC Chief Executive Officer informed them that the business of the Disco is a community oriented one.
She said the reward for the youths was to publicly demonstrate that there is reward for assisting BEDC to protect its properties, so that it can serve its consumers more efficiently.
According to her, even though the two suspects were already with the police who have since commenced investigation, BEDC management would ensure that they are adequately prosecuted.
She disclosed that vandalisation of BEDC installations is not peculiar to the locality but added that efforts would be made to checkmate the rising incidence of vandalism of BEDC facilities.
A Principal actor in the apprehension of the suspects, Mr. Osaro Igbinovia, told newsmen that the unusual movement of the suspects led him to confront them, following which they attempted to escape before they were arrested.
The Public Relations Officer, Edo State Police Command, DSP Stephen Anwochei could not be reach for comment.