Austine Ekhigiator, a 33-year-old electrician, was detained by members of the Edo State Police Command for allegedly stealing four prepaid metres from the state.
It was learned that the suspect, who is a resident of Erediawa Street, Sapele Road, Benin, stole the metres from the Azagba community in the Uhumwonde Local Government Area of Edo State together with three other suspects who are still at large.
Further information revealed that the suspect was detained by Egba neighbourhood watch volunteers and turned over to the Egba division.
According to information obtained by our correspondent, the suspect is a contractor the federal government hired to build the National Mass Metering Program in Benin City and the surrounding area.
Sources said the suspects and his accomplices always meet meter owners on the excuse of correcting errors on their meter and in the process, remove it from the box, conceal it in their bag and cover the box under the pretext that the meter has been repaired.
It was learnt that after stealing the meter, they would connect the light directly so that the owner would not suspect that the meter is no longer there.
One of the victims, Gladys Evbodaghe, was said to have complained to the BEDC staff and the police, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
When our reporter visited the police station, an officer who spoke on condition of anonimity, confirmed the arrest, saying the police are on the trail of other suspects.
Meanwhile, the Head Safety and Environment, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Gilbert Nweke, said the arrested suspect is not a staff member of the BEDC,
“The suspect works with the contractor engaged by the Federal Government to install its National Mass Metering Programme in Edo. The contract has long ended, but because he has the technical knowhow of meter, he continues to go about with his group stealing people’s meters,” he said.
Breaking News: Nigerians can now earn in US Dollars from home, let’s show you how our client earned $13,000 (₦9,600,000.00) on a premium domain name within 2 weeks of acquisition.Click here to find out how to start.