A 33-year old man identified as Austine Ekhigiator is currently cooling his feet in police cell for allegedly stealing four electricity prepaid meters in Edo State.
The suspect in collaboration with three others reportedly stole the meters under the pretense of repairing them for unsuspecting owners.
Blueprint gathered that Ehigiator who resides at No 4, Erediawa Street, Sapele road, Benin City was arrested by the Egba community residents and handed over to the Egba division of the Edo state police command.
Mrs. Gladys Evbodaghe whose three meters were said to have been stolen by the suspects said: “they (suspects) always meet the meter owners that they want to correct error on the meter.
“Alternatively, when the customers who are aware that they are not BEDC staff call them for repairs when it develop fault.
“They will climb the electricity pole and remove the meter, put it in their bag, covered the meter coat back and falsely declared that it has been repaired.”
An officer of the police division who pleaded for annonimity confirmed the development, and added the police have launched a manhunt for other accomplices who he said were at large.
Also, the Head Safety and Environment/ Security, of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mr. Gilbert Nweke, confirmed the development, but added that the arrested suspect is not a staff of the company.
According to Nweke, “the suspect worked 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 know-how of meter, he continue to go about with his group stealing peoples’ meter”.
He appealed to members of the public to be alert when people come to them that they want to repair their meters.
