Five years after disconnecting from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Edo State Government has reconnected to the power distribution company for supply of electricity.

The Godwin Obaseki-led administration in 2020 broke BEDC monopoly in the state by supporting the construction of Ossiomo Power, an electricity generation and distribution firm.

The switch over to BEDC by the state government was due to the shut down of Ossiomo Power Plant since September 1st over ownership tussle between Ossiomo Power and its Chinese partners, Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC).

READ ALSO:Oba Of Benin Declares Two-week Fasting, Prayer For Edo

Ossiomo Power generates 95MW of electricity which it supplied to government buildings, Edo Government House, Edo NUJ secretariat, private organisations, streetlights amongst others.

Director General of the Edo State Electrification Agency, Saturday Omozokpea Egbadon, who confirmed the switch over to the BEDC, said electricity has been restored to some streetlights and government buildings.

The Edo State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has vowed to fish out the killers of eight of its personnel in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

The personnel were killed last week Friday at around 10:00PM at BUA cement factory site
in an ambush by suspected kidnappers.

One out of five Chinese expatriates the personnel were providing cover for was taken away by the gunmen.

Reacting to the incident, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Efosa Ogbebor said investigation into the matter was still ongoing, adding and that the Corps National Headquarters was also handling the burial of the victims and welfare of their family members.

READ ALSO:Gunmen Kill NSCDC Personnel In Edo, Abduct Expatriate

He said: “The National headquarters has taken over the issue, investigation is still ongoing and our men are still out there combing the forests because those men must be brought to book. The Corps is not taking it lightly in any way, those people who did that must and will be brought to book, there is no hiding place for them. We are doing the combing in collaboration with other security agencies.

“For the victims, communication has been established with families by the Corps Headquarters and the welfare of the families they left behind is being handled by the national headquarters.”

Speaking on the kidnapped expatriate, the imagemaker said he was not aware of any contact yet but vowed that he would be rescued.

Force Deputy Public Relations Office of the Nigeria Police, CSP Victor Isuku, has said that operatives could go through an individual’s phone especially when such a person is suspected to be involved in cyber crime.

He also police have the rights to breakdown doors or enter through the ceiling to arrest an uncooperative suspect in a case.

Isuku disclosed this when he had an interactive session with the public at the premiere of the movie, “Greatest Oath (The Rescue)” by Ocean Portal in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force.

The Deputy Force PRO,
while noting that checkpoints are put up to check reported car theft and not to witch-hunt the public, noted that the public should not only give information that can lead to arrest of criminals but should ensure they do not interfere with the arrest of a suspect.

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Isuku, who said the act could lead to the arrest of such an individual, urged the public not to resort to self help by throwing tantrums when they feel their rights have been infringed upon by an officer.

He urged the public to report the matter to the police authorities which will investigate the matter and mete out punishment to erring officers.

He added that bail is free urging the public to read the content in a bail form before appending their signature, noting that the Inspector General frowns at unethical practices by his officers.

Isuku said, “There are situations where a policeman can search your phone. If you are suspected to have committed a cyber crime, your phone will be checked. The police will not just stop you on the road and begin to search you, it is unethical. The IG frowns at such unethical practice.

READ ALSO:Police PRO, Adejobi, Removed , Assigned New Office

“The Police can break the door of an uncooperative suspect, enter his apartment through the roof or get into his premises by scaling the fence. Don’t hinder the police from arresting a suspect as you will also be arrested.”

He identified funding as a major problem affecting all institutions in the country, noting that the public can help provide basic logistics equipment to the police inside of giving them money under any guise.

Ocean Portal boss, Dickson Oviase, said that the production was inspired by the EndSARS protest which led to the destruction of life and properties in many states of the federation.

READ ALSO:How Man Killed Younger Brother, Hid Body In Drum — Police

He said despite the hostilities, the police still carried out their duties, disclaiming insinuation that they were on strike during the protest.

He added, “The movie is inspired and birthed from the out cry of #EndSARS saga. The Police could not function in many states. The consciousness of the necessity of the presence of The Nigerian Police pervaded everywhere.

“For once, the vacuum of the absence of Police in our society stared Us on the Face. Truth be told, there’s a need to show love to the Police and Vice-Versa as it will be chaotic if the police embark on an indefinite strike. Let’s come together and enhance community policing. God bless Nigeria.”