A customer in the Enugu Nanka community of Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, assaulted staff of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) for disconnecting his electricity due to non-payment of bills. The incident occurred last Saturday when Izuchukwu Ofojama allegedly damaged the company’s vehicle while the staff were on official duty in the community.
A viral video showed Izuchukwu confronting EEDC staff, warning them not to disconnect his electricity line. The EEDC team claimed that his building had been consuming electricity illegally without payment, and Izuchukwu was unable to provide evidence of payment when asked. Following his failure to present proof of payment, the team proceeded to disconnect his premises, which he resisted.
“When he was eventually disconnected, he became enraged and not only assaulted the EEDC officials but also used a log of wood to smash the front and rear windshields of their vehicle along with the side mirrors,” narrated Emeka Ezeh, the spokesman for EEDC. “He also used a screwdriver to puncture the two rear tires of the vehicle,” Ezeh added.
Following the incident, Rev. Canon Ifeanyichukwu Ezeike, President General of Nanka community, along with Onyekwere Ofojama, Izuchukwu’s brother, visited the Ekwulobia District office of EEDC to make amends. Ezeike condemned Izuchukwu's actions, describing them as unfortunate and unwarranted, and expressed the community’s intention to repair the damages and settle the matter amicably.
“We don’t think the young man was in his right senses. The entire village and town also condemned his action,” Ezeike said in a statement.
The EEDC team, led by the Head of Security, Mr. Frank Ejiofor, Head of Health, Safety & Environment, Dr. Francis Iwu, and the District Business Manager, EEDC Ekwulobia District, Jachi Umunna, received the community leaders. Ejiofor condemned the assault and urged customers to use established complaint redress channels to express grievances, stressing that the company will not tolerate any assaults on its staff.
Ejiofor emphasized that the company values its customers highly and does not encourage violence as a means of expressing grievances. He commended the community and its leadership for condemning the action and insisted on prosecuting anyone who assaults EEDC staff on duty.
