The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has appealed to the Abia Police Command to take urgent steps to arrest the suspected attacker of its employee in Umuahia.
The company made the appeal, when a delegation from its headquarters visited the Commissioner of Police, Janet Agbede, in Umuahia on Thursday.
It was reported that the employee, an Operations Technician in Umuahia District Office, Mr Obiajulu Atta, was allegedly attacked on March 16, while on official duty.
Atta was reportedly macheted by one David Ukaibe, a relation of an EEDC’s customer, who was to be disconnected for non-payment of electricity bill.
Mr Chris Ezike, the Chief of Staff to the Chairman of EEDC, Dr Emeka Offor, who led the delegation, urged the police boss to expedite efforts toward arresting the suspect.
Ezike, who retired as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), said EEDC was prepared to give all the logistics support to the police to facilitate the suspect’s arrest.
He said, “We want to appeal to you in respect to the incident that happened at Amaba, Oboro in Ikwuano Local Government Area, where one of our staff was almost killed.
“He had his hand almost cut off and if not that he shielded his head with his hand, the machete would have gone straight to his head.
“We visited him yesterday (Wednesday) at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, where doctors are battling to save his life.
“Our workers feel demoralised by this incident. That is why we want to encourage them to know that their lives will be protected when they are on lawful duties.”
Ezike, who was also a former commissioner of police in Abia, said that the visit was to thank Agbede and her men for the security support to the company in its operations.
Responding, Agbede vowed to arrest and prosecute the suspect, accordingly.
“When the Divisional Police Officer of that area informed me about the incident, I told him I want to see the suspect.
“We will do all the necessary things to apprehend him.
“I can’t imagine how somebody wants to use light but doesn’t want to pay for it,” the police chief said.
Other members of the delegation were Mr Frank Ejiofor and Mr Emeka Ezeh, Head of Security and Head of Corporate Communication, respectively, among others.