Two middle-aged women, Bright Isibor and Evelyn Eriamator, were taken into custody by the Edo State Police Command on Friday for allegedly using their prepaid meters in Benin without authorization at all.
While two others managed to flee, the discovery and arrest were made by a joint team of police officers and Benin Electricity Distribution PLC employees who were conducting a routine patrol around the Benin downtown.
Corporate Communications Officer Evelyn Gbiwen told reporters following the exercise in Benin that the goal was to make sure the company received all revenue.
Gbiwen declared, “We just went on a drive to make sure those who use BEDC meters for illegal activities are held accountable. We submitted a petition to the Commissioner of Police, and he granted it in less than 48 hours.
“In order to discourage others from committing crimes like bypassing, making unauthorized connections, load diversion, and other offenses, we want to continue arresting these individuals.
“The BEDC’s new management will not tolerate any violations that result in revenue loss. We have a target to take this company out of the hood within a very, very short time.
“We appreciate the media’s support in our fight against those who persistently steal our energy. Every energy we sell should bring in money for the business, not for a private individual’s wallet.
“We have just begun; in the coming weeks, approximately 14 individuals will be detained and charged; we have already identified them,” she stated.
