The Benue State Police Command has apprehended a permanent secretary and two directors (names withheld) for allegedly stealing a transformer belonging to the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC).
Dr. Adakole Elijah, JEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, spoke to newsmen on the phone on Wednesday, revealing that the arrests occurred on Tuesday afternoon.
He explained that the company discovered the transformer was missing from an industrial area in Makurdi on July 6, 2024.
The company promptly launched an investigation into the matter and discovered that the transformer had been removed in broad daylight by individuals who brought equipment and sand-filling materials to facilitate the theft.
 A security guard confirmed that he had assisted the officials in removing the transformer.
One of the government officials arrested admitted to taking the transformer to his house. As the investigation progressed, the situation escalated when the official tried to involve the state government by pushing the responsibility onto the Ministry of Community and Rural Development.
The Investigating Police Officer (IPO), along with another police officer, used a crane and JEDC personnel to recover the transformer from the ministry and take it to the police station. However, the directors at the ministry resisted the efforts.
Dr. Elijah advised the regional manager to seek the intervention of the commissioner. When the commissioner arrived, she refused to allow the transformer to be removed and ordered the gate to be locked, preventing anyone from entering.
The JEDC then contacted the Commissioner of Police, who mobilized a team to break the gate and retrieve the transformer. The transformer was successfully recovered and brought to police headquarters.
“We then reached out to the Commissioner of Police, who mobilised and sent a reinforcement to go and break the gate and bring the transformer. The transformer was recovered and brought to police headquarters.
“I advised the regional manager to try and see the commissioner. When the commissioner came, she said no, that she would not allow them to carry the transformer. Instead, they locked the gate and didn’t allow anyone to come in.
“The arrested individuals, including the permanent secretary of the ministry and two directors, are currently in police custody.Â
“If they are not released, they will be charged in court.”
Dr. Elijah emphasized the importance of media coverage to inform the public about the arrests related to the transformer theft.
The Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the arrests but did not disclose the identities of those detained, stating that she had not yet received the full report.
