Ebonyi youths attack electricity company, vandalize vehicles over seven-month power outage

Some youths in Afikpo town of Afikpo North Local
Government Area of Ebonyi State during a protest,
have allegedly vandalized three vehicles belonging
to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC)
and barricaded the entry and exit points into the
town.
Public institutions including banks and markets
were also shut down following the protest, which
halted human and automobile movements in the
area.
Reports say the youths were protesting alleged lack
of supply of electricity to the town for over seven
months.
The Rector, Akanu Ibiam, Federal Poly, Uwanna,
Ogbonnia Ibe-Enwo, Senator Azu Agboti, other
prominent persons in the town including travelers,
were turned back from reaching their destinations
by the rampaging youth who chanted war songs
during the protest.
The state Police Spokesperson, Chris Anyanwu,
who confirmed the incident, condemned the
vandalism by the youth.
One Egwu Idam, a resident of the area according to
reports, revealed that the youth had surrounded the
office of the distribution company as early as 7 am
today and dismissed the staff.
He said in the process, three vehicles of the
company were destroyed.
Speaking further, Idam said, “We haven’t had light
for over seven months and we have been paying
for light we don’t consume. We have been telling
the power people to stop bringing us bill every
month since they don’t give us light but to no
avail.”
One of the protesters said, “Today, we have
decided to say no to all these rubbish. We want
the right thing to be done now. It is either they
give us light or they stop bringing bill to us
because we cannot continue to pay for what we
don’t consume.”
Mr. Anyanwu, a deputy superintendent of police,
said the Afikpo Police Area Commander and his
team have been directed to calm the situation.
[DailyPost]