Again, arsonists torch another company in Anambra, over 40 cars, others destroyed

The Ogidi District office of the EEDC was set ablaze by unidentified criminal elements in the early hours of Monday.

The fire left about 32 utility and operational vehicles burnt, including other assets and equipment on the premises.

The Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, confirmed the incident.

According to Ezeh, efforts made to reach the Anambra State Fire Service was not successful.

“It later took the intervention of the Honourable Commissioner for Utilities, Anambra State, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, at about 9.05 am this morning to bring the Fire Service team down to the scene of the incident”.

The management of EEDC expressed shock over this ugly incident which is happening at a time the company has invested so much to improve its operations and transform the socio-economic landscape of the area.

“This is a big loss to EEDC, and a great setback to the efforts being made by the company to strengthen its network and improve the quality of service to its customers within Ogidi and Anambra State at large.

“We have already brought this development to the attention of the relevant authorities and it is expected that proper investigation will be carried out and the perpetrators of this dastardly act brought to book.

“There is no way a developing economy as ours can progress if we continue to record this kind of incident,” he said.

It was gathered that having gained access into the office complex by pulling down part of the wall, the criminals attacked one of the security personnel manning the office and inflicted several machete wounds on his head, leg and arm as they were demanding his gun, while his other colleagues ran for their lives.

The victim is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

“We thank God that no life was lost. We condemn this unjustifiable act and pray such does not reoccur,” Ezeh said.

A magistrate court and a secretariat were torched Sunday night in Ogidi, too.

These were coming hours after Gov Charles Soludo visited IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu in DSS detention in Abuja.