Headline

BEDC Commends Community Residents Over Arrest Of Vandals

Published

4 years ago

January 26, 2022

The management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc. has commended residents of Illah community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State for their roles in the arrest of electricity vandals.

Head, Community Relations, Mr. Simple Ugherakpoteni, who made the commendation on behalf of the Cheif Executive Officer, Funke Osibodu, at a ceremony organised to honour members of the anti-cult group who caught the vandals and handed them over to the police for prosecution, further commended the community for its vigilance over BEDC network.

The ceremony was took place Ogbelani of Illah, HRM, Obi Sylvester Jugai.

While decring the rising case of vandalism across its franchise areas, the Head, Community Relations described electricity vandalism and theft as economic crime.

He further described the act as an act of sabotage against the good purpose and intents of the company.

According to him, vandalism of electricity distribution network and other forms of electrical thefts are serious threats to power sector sustainability and economic growth.

While insisting that increasing vandalism will force the company to spend money meant to improve electricity infrastructure to repair or replace damaged and stolen installations, Mr. Ugherakpoteni lamented that the power sector has been the most hit in the most devastating manner.

“The fight against electricity vandals is a collective responsibility that can only be sustained through collective effort and increased partnership,” he said.

The Head, Community Relations, while appreciating the effort of Illah community, presented a life insurance policy for 5 members of the anti-cult group and cartons of energy.

He said it will help them pay less for power usage and also enjoined other communities to emulate and take ownership of BEDC assets in their various localities, “since they are the direct users of these facilities.”

The Ogbelani of Illah, HRM, Obi Sylvester Jugai, thanked the management of BEDC for its gesture and reiterated the community’s commitment in ensuring that the electricity facilities and equipment are well secured and protected to avoid being thrown into blackout.

He insisted on improved community and neighbourhood relations with BEDC staff in order to collectively fight against electricity vandals.

In a related development, cases of high-tension cable conductor vandalism at Esaba, Otutuaima, Oghangbla and Iuhre-Ogun communities in Ughelli South Local Government area of Delta State, were also reported according to the company.

Recall efforts by BEDC at curbing the menace of vandalism on its network will be received a boost with the sentencing of one David James to three years imprisonment by a Benin Magistrate Court 6 in Egor Local Government area of Edo state recently.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

6 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

6 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.