From Monday Osayande Asaba
Edo State Police command has arrested four Benin Electricity Distribution Commission (BEDC) staff in connection with the death of their colleague, late August Izekor who was recently electrocuted in Evbodia community, near Benin City.
The Guardian learnt that they were arrested at various locations in the State by BEDC security personnel, who later handed them over to the Police attached to Iyekogba Police Division in Oredo council of the State where they were interrogated and detailed.
Izekor was to restore electricity to Evbodia community when one of his colleagues allegedly called for power to be restored as he was still working on it, while others fled the scene immediately he was knocked down without any attempt to rescue the victim.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Chidi Nwabuzor said he was yet to be officially informed.
But, the chief security officer of the BEDC, Colonel David Aghedo, (rtd) confirmed the arrest, saying “we have arrested those who went on the operations with him.
“They were arrested at various spots and we are yet to get their response as per their involvement in the operation that killed him (Izekor).
“But however, we shall be relating with the family members as events unfold. Our condolences to the family and friends are genuine”, he said.
Meanwhile, management of BEDC, at the weekend, met with the families of Late Augustine Izekor at the corporate Headquarters in Benin City after paying condolence visit to the wife, Mrs Helen Izekor and children.
The Head, Human Capital, Dr. Obi Obinna who led BEDC management team said, “this is a rude shock to us at the BEDC and we know it is unbearable for the family too.
“It was an accident. But we cannot rule out the fact that there were no errors. The errors are avoidable but it still occurred. We are very sorry over the loss and we guarantee the family that we will stand by them according to the laid down procedures of our organisation”, he said.
Dr Obinna informed the family at the round table meeting that the insurance company had been contacted and that the daughter, Jennifer Izekor whom Late Augustine Izekor had penciled as his next of kin, will get the cash sum for compensation.
He also informed the family that either the deceased widow or any member of the family will be employed by BEDC, adding: “BEDC will support the burial of our late colleague, Izekor”.
Responding, the deceased immediate elder brother, Mr Friday Izekor told the management team present that, “we have hired a private investigator who is also doing his job and have come up with some facts.
“We have been rightly informed that the incident occurred on October 26, at about 2 pm. His colleagues ran away and later returned about 4 pm to take him to the hospital around Airport Road.
He was unconscious at that time and when he managed to gain consciousness, he called my younger sister about 7pm, telling her that he had an accident.
“My younger sister, Uyimwen, who was so worried rushed to the hospital where she tried to support him to survive the shock. But he couldn’t make it, and then gave up about 11pm. if my late brother was taken to the hospital on time, maybe he would have survived”, he cried.
