Ikeja Electric Plc has warned the general public that legal actions would be taken against any individual that launches any form of physical attack on its staff. The company issued the warning while reacting to viral videos showing two of its staff being attacked in the course of duty.
In a statement signed by the company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Felix Ofufue, Ikeja Electric condemned the attack and reiterated its commitment to assuring the safety of its workers.
The statement went further to say that Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State stipulates that any person who unlawfully assaults another and thereby does him harm, commits a felony and is liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for three years.
“It is wrong for persons to attack our technical staff who are on the ladder, it is also an offence to throw them off the ladder. Please note that IE has zero tolerance on assault on staff and remains committed to protecting the lives of its staff. We will not hesitate to seek redress through any means within the limits of the law.”
Below is one of the viral videos showing one Ikeja Electric staff being physically assaulted. Another clip shows two men dragging the ladder while another Ikeja Electric staff was on it, atop an electric pole. Yet another clip shows a young man attacking one of the Ikeja Electric staff with a machete.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByAO_5dhAcK/?igshid=hvwz80q8n6d4
Offenders are being brought to justice: Meanwhile, Ofulue assured that the videos are old and the culprits are being punished accordingly
Reason for the recent power outage: The company explained that the reason for power outage is due to damages on some of its distribution facilities. These include snapped cables and fallen poles, which were all caused by the recent heavy downpours and wind.
Nigerian reacts to this: In reaction to the statement issued by the company, some expressed their disdain for the violence on the company’s staff, while a few stated that it was deserved.
As much as I won’t support an assault on anyone, I feel that you people should be sensitive to the plight of your customers. I sent you a Dm since Saturday but no response till now. It’s either you don’t care or somebody isn’t doing his/her job
— Afolabi Olabinjo (@flabbby) May 26, 2019
Leave this rubbish talk and give people light, month end u will bring astronomical figures yet u guys can't give light for 3hrs uninterrupted
— PO4President2023 (@Joe_oru) May 26, 2019
…it is a crime to throw anyone off a ladder! I am sure our learned friends will have a name for such tort.
Violence of any sort to anyone has never and will never be a solution.— Paul Uru (@dPaulUr) May 28, 2019
This is not the first time: Early last month, a middle-aged man identified as Abiodun Makinde, was arrested and charged to court for assaulting a staff of the Electricity Distribution Company and also for breaching the peace of the Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos.
Ikeja electric is quick to make a statement in this case but when Nerc declared that Meter asset providers will commence operations by May 1 this year and distribution companies like eko and abuja has come out on plans to key into it and rollout thousands of meters for its distribution network , I have eagerly awaited what the plans of Ikeja electric would be on this, yet they have been so silent on the matter. You know why? Because Ikeja electric is praying hard that the meter all customer agenda should not see the light of the day hence they have no plans to meter their customers. Soon I will be delivered from your month to month outrageous bills. Soon!