Operatives of the Edo State Police Command has arrested an electrician, Austine Ekhigiator, 33, for allegedly stealing four prepaid meters in the state.
It was gathered that the suspect who resides on Erediawa Street, Sapele Road, Benin, stole the meters in collaboration with three others now at large at Azagba community in Uhumwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.
It was further gathered that the suspect was arrested by the Egba community vigilante and handed over to the Egba division.
Our correspondent learnt that the suspect works with a contractor engaged by the federal government for the installation of the National Mass Metering Programme in Benin City and its environs.
Sources said the suspects and his accomplices always meet meter owners on the excuse of correcting errors on their meter and in the process, remove it from the box, conceal it in their bag and cover the box under the pretext that the meter has been repaired.
It was learnt that after stealing the meter, they would connect the light directly so that the owner would not suspect that the meter is no longer there.
One of the victims, Gladys Evbodaghe, was said to have complained to the BEDC staff and the police, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
When our reporter visited the police station, an officer who spoke on condition of anonimity, confirmed the arrest, saying the police are on the trail of other suspects.
Meanwhile, the Head Safety and Environment, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Gilbert Nweke, said the arrested suspect is not a staff member of the BEDC,
“The suspect works with the contractor engaged by the Federal Government to install its National Mass Metering Programme in Edo. The contract has long ended, but because he has the technical knowhow of meter, he continues to go about with his group stealing people’s meters,” he said.
