From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Three government officials in Benue State – a permanent secretary and two directors (names withheld) – have been arrested for allegedly stealing a transformer belonging to the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC).
Dr Adakole Elijah, JEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, told journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday that the police arrested the officials on Tuesday.
He explained that on 6 July 2024, the company discovered one of their transformers was missing from an industrial area in Makurdi. An investigation revealed that the transformer had been removed in broad daylight.
“They even went with hardware and filled in the ground to gain access and take the transformer,” Elijah stated.
A security guard confessed to assisting in the theft, leading investigators to one of the government officials. This official admitted to taking the transformer and keeping it at his house.
According to Elijah, this official attempted to involve the Ministry of Community and Rural Development in an effort to cover up the crime.
Read also: 50 transformers vandalised every day in Jos Disco coverage areas – JED
Police, accompanied by JEDC personnel and a crane, attempted to retrieve the transformer from the Ministry but were met with resistance. The Ministry directors refused to release the transformer, prompting the JEDC regional manager to contact the Commissioner of Police.
Despite the Commissioner’s intervention, the Ministry officials refused to cooperate, even locking the gate to prevent access. The Commissioner of Police then dispatched reinforcements to the Ministry, where they forced entry and recovered the transformer.
The arrested permanent secretary and two directors remain in police custody.
“If the police don’t release them, they will be charged to court,” Elijah stated. “We want the media to know that arrests have been made in connection with this transformer.”
Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Catherine Anene confirmed the arrests but said she had not yet received the official report and declined to disclose the identities of those involved.