Three alleged vandals, Fawas Eletu, Sunday Joseph, and Isah Haruna, have been sentenced to six months, two years, and three months in prison respectively for vandalising and stealing cables belonging to the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

The Guardian learnt that Eletu was apprehended while attempting to steal three metres of 500mm cable in the Awoyaya area of Ibeju. Joseph was arrested in Onikan, Lagos Island, while Haruna was apprehended in Lekki, Lagos.

The General Manager of Corporate Communications at EKEDC, Babatunde Lasaki, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday. He noted that the three individuals have been detained, arraigned, and sentenced, and are now in various Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) facilities for vandalism and theft of the company’s equipment.

Lasaki called on the public to refrain from vandalising and stealing electricity cables and other critical infrastructure. He explained that such actions disrupt power supply to homes, businesses, and industries, resulting in widespread outages and financial losses for the company and its customers.

He commended the efforts of communities, law enforcement agencies, and residential associations in safeguarding public equipment and electricity infrastructure.

“Justice would not have been served without the intervention of our partners and critical stakeholders, who helped apprehend these individuals trying to deprive our customers of their right to power supply for personal gain. We will continue to collaborate with community groups and other stakeholders to put an end to this menace,” Lasaki stated.

He stressed that vandalism sets the organisation back in its efforts to provide safe, reliable, and uninterrupted power supply.

“Instead of investing in new equipment to expand our services, we are forced to replace stolen ones, which causes unnecessary outages for our customers. I hope this serves as a deterrent to other would-be vandals, as we will ensure that offenders face the full extent of the law,” he added.

Lasaki also highlighted the dangers of tampering with electrical infrastructure, warning that such activities can lead to electrocution or death. He encouraged the public to report suspected vandalism through EKEDC’s social media platforms.