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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.

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

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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

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

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“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.

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

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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.

“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.

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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.

“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.

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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.

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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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

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“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

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According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

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READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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