By Festus Ahon & Godwin Oghre

SAPELE—THE Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, has petitioned Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State over what it described as threat to the lives of its staff in Sapele by an operative of Sapele vigilante over the management of a transformer.

The company’s Business Manager, Engr. Orhupke Agbonmerele, alleged that the vigilante member had ordered some boys to harass staff of the company found to be carrying out their lawful duties around the transformer.
The company sent copies of the petition to the Divisional Police Office of Sapele Police Station; Department of State Services, Sapele, DSS; Commander, Nigerian Army, Sapele and Commander, Nigerian Army, Koko.

It said: “On August 8, our staff were attacked by the said fellow and a group of armed men, who adorned themselves with ammunition kits.
“After molesting our staff, he proceeded to our Business District main office and physically manhandled the Senior Manager, Distribution, and other staff he met in the office.
“Before leaving our main office, he ordered his men to shoot at sight any BEDC staff found performing his duty within the town.

“In the face of the aggression and threat, the Business Manager attempted to personally intervene by putting a call across to him in a bid to explain the rationale for the load shedding exercise. Unfortunately, that gesture was fruitless as he ignored the calls.”
The company, in the petition, urged the governor to ensure the adequate security of the lives of its staff considering the level of threat issued, adding that it was only aware of only one Chief Security Officer of the state in the person of governor.