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BEDC Decries Rise In Vandalism, Wants Stern Punishment For Perpetrators

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The Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, Plc, Friday, decried rise in cases of alleged vandalism across its franchise zone.

The company, in a statement signed Mr. Tayo Adekunle, Head, Corporate Affairs, which was made available to INFO DAILY in Benin, described vandalism as not only being economic crime but an act of sabotage against the good purpose and intents of the
company.

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He advocated laws be enforced to protect public property, especially
electricity infrastructure

According to Mr. Tayo, the power sector has been the most hit in the most devastating manner, adding that the effect of vandalism cannot be overemphasized.

READ ALSO: BEDC Installes 25% Meters Of Total Target In Its Coverage Areas

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He lamented that, as a result of activities of vandals, residential customers, industries, small and medium scale businesses are being starved of power.

“The recent surge in cases of vandalism within our franchise area
calls for greater attention. More worrisome is the fact that these
miscreants are continuously innovating new ideas beyond human
comprehension to perpetrate their criminal acts.

“We see the recent
vandalism of 14 spans of electricity conductors in Ilu-titun, Southern
Ondo State, on a line currently being rehabilitated by the Niger Delta
Power Holding Company (NDPHC) as very disturbing. More disturbing is the fact that Okitipupa town was recently thrown into blackout as a
result of the vandalism of 20 spans of electricity conductors which
occurred between Ode-Aye and Okitipupa.

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“As a company, we see these as
acts of economic sabotage against the good intents of BEDC,” he
remarked.

READ ALSO: BEDC Introduces Service-Based Tariff

Mr. Tayo regretted that money
that could have been judiciously invested in network upgrade such as energisation of new transformers or construction of new lines to relief existing ones are being channelled towards replacing the
vandalised items.

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“We are, however, not relenting in our quest to overcome this societal
issue through improved community relations drive of involving all
stakeholders at the grassroots aside ensuring that our facilities are
well securedin our bid to arrest this ugly trend,” the statement added.

While noting that vandalism of electricity distribution network and other forms of
electrical thefts are serious threats to power sector sustainability
and economic growth, Mr. Tayo said it has been major acts negatively affecting
service delivery to customers.

Mr. Tayo who gave success of the company in its fight against the menace of vandalism on its network, noted that some perpetrators of the evil act have been sentenced to jail in its franchise areas.

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“Efforts by BEDC at curbing the menace of vandalism on its network had
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.

READ ALSO: BEDC Debunks Rumour, Says No Free Electricity Yet

“On 3rd July 2021, a 2.5MVA, 33/11KV Injection Substation at Igarra near Auchi, in Edo state was vandalized while RUM, upriser cables, incomer cables etc. were removed by the vandals.However, luck ran out of the vandals as they were arrested by the Police Division at Ogorimagogo in Kogi State and the stolen items were recovered. The arrested suspects were later transferred to SCID Lokoja, while efforts are being made by the Edo State Police Command to retrieve the arrested suspects and exhibits to Edo State where they will be charged to court at the end of Police investigation.

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He therefore appealed to members of the public to be vigilant and security conscious on the activities of some “unruly elements in
the society whose aim is to make life unbearable for them through
their nefarious acts.”

 

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17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London

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…Outperforms over 20,000 participants from 69 countries

Nafisa Aminu, a 17-year-old student of Tulip International College, Yobe State, has emerged world’s best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals.

The 17-year-old was named the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.

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READ ALSO: Fake Labubu Dolls Worth Millions Seized In London Raid Amid Growing Safety Fears

The TeenEagle competition is an internationally recognised contest that tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills, attracting students from both English-speaking and non-English-speaking nations.

Nafisa’s triumph was confirmed in a statement by the head of her family, Hassan Salifu, who attributed her success to “dedication, discipline, and the enabling support of the state government.”

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Representing Nigeria, Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, a historic feat that has thrust her into the global academic spotlight and brought honour to Nigeria.

 

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FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General

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The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections.

The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, on Tuesday.

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“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 Controllers of Corrections to the prestigious rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.

Abubakar noted that the promotions were made in line with CDCFIB’s commitment to “merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”

READ ALSO:Customs Intercepts N1.7bn Falsely Declared Goods Across South-West Zone

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“Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.

“In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialized contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the promotion exercise was said to align with the ongoing reforms in the Service, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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The statement credited the reform momentum to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose efforts were described as “unwavering” and “unprecedented.”

READ ALSO:Court Strips Transport Minister, CRFFN Regulatory Power Over Licensed Customs

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the newly promoted officers, charging them to rise to the responsibilities of their new roles.

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“I urge them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.

He further stressed that the promotions are not merely rewards for past service but “a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.”

“The Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety,” Nwakuche added.

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Adeleke Flies To US For Davido’s Wedding

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Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has travelled to the United States to attend the wedding ceremony of his nephew and music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Recall, Davido confirmed that he and his wife, Chioma Avril Rowland, will have their white wedding in Miami, Florida, in August 2025.

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He made the announcement during an interview on The Breakfast Club, aired on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed Adeleke’s trip in a statement issued on Tuesday, in response to concerns raised by the opposition All Progressives Congress over the governor’s whereabouts.

READ ALSO:Davido Thrills In Toronto, Brooklyn As US Tour Heats Up

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Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.

“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family.

“Those unable to attend may join virtually,” Rasheed stated.

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He noted that Adeleke had not taken any official vacation since assuming office in November 2022 and said the current trip would be short.

READ ALSO:Davido Withdraws From 50 Cent’s London Concert

Additionally, from the November 2022 date, the governor has not gone on official vacation.

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“For this current trip, the Governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions.

“Meanwhile, the Governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government,” Rasheed added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Osun APC had accused Adeleke of leaving the state without informing residents or formally transmitting power to his deputy. The party described the governor’s absence as “abnormal.”

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READ ALSO:Davido, Asa To Perform At National Sports Festival’s Opening Ceremony In Abeokuta

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party said, “The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state, is where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long.

“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state since two weeks ago.

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“Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?”

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