Youth attack electricity company, vandalize vehicles over power outage

Three vehicles belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), have been vandalized by youth in Afikpo town of Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State during a protest.

The youth, who were protesting alleged lack of supply of electricity to the town for over seven months, barricaded the entry and exit points into the town.

Public institutions including banks and markets were shut down following the protest, which halted human and vehicular movements in the area.

Prominent persons in the town including Senator Azu Agboti, Rector Akanu Ibiam Federal Poly, Uwanna, Ogbonnia Ibe-Enwo, and travelers were turned back from reaching their destinations by the rampaging youth who chanted war songs during the protest.

A resident of the area, Egwu Idam, told our reporter that the youth had besieged the office of the distribution company as early as 7am and sacked the staff.

He said in the process, three vehicles of the company were vandalized.

He said: ‘’Since seven months we don’t have light and we have been paying for light we don’t consume. We have been telling the power people to stop bringing us bill every month since they don’t give us light but to no avail.

‘’Today, we have decided to say no to all these rubbish. We want the right thing to be done. It is either they give us light or they stop bringing bill to us because we cannot continue to pay for what we don’t consume,’’ said the protester.

Police spokesman in the state, Chris Anyanwu, who confirmed the incident condemned the vandalism by the youths.

Mr. Anyanwu, a deputy superintendent of police, said the Afikpo Police Area Commander and his team have been directed to calm the situation