The Imo State Police Command has clarified {that a} current incident on the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Owerri was not an abduction, as initially reported, however somewhat a dispute between electrical energy distribution corporations.
Studies circulated over the weekend suggesting that personnel on the facility had been held hostage, prompting concern amongst residents.
Nonetheless, DSP Henry Okoye, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) within the state, within the assertion issued on Sunday, confirmed that preliminary findings point out no operators from the Nationwide Built-in Energy Transmission Firm (NISO) or the Transmission Firm of Nigeria (TCN) had been kidnapped or coerced to disconnect any gear.
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has directed the State Felony Investigation Division (SCID) to launch a full-scale investigation to establish the distant and speedy circumstances surrounding the incident,” Okoye acknowledged.
Police attributed the disruption to an “operational disagreement” involving the Enugu Electrical energy Distribution Firm (EEDC) and the Orashi Electrical energy Distribution Firm. The matter was reportedly addressed on the scene with the presence of the Chairman of the Imo State Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (ISERC).
“Preliminary findings present that there isn’t any indication that Nationwide Built-in Energy Transmission Firm (NISO) or Transmission Firm of Nigeria (TCN) personnel had been kidnapped, held hostage, or pressured to disconnect any facility,” the assertion learn.
The Command assured the general public that measures have been taken to keep up safety on the substation and to stop future occurrences.
“In synergy with the Imo State Authorities, the Command stays totally dedicated to making sure that TCN/NISO operators and all electrical energy personnel perform their duties safely, professionally, and with out intimidation,” the assertion learn.
Authorities proceed to research the matter and have emphasised the significance of clear reporting to stop the unfold of misinformation about vital infrastructure operations.
Alleged lacking employees members
The Guardian experiences that on Saturday, the Nigerian Unbiased System Operator (NISO) expressed concern over the reported intrusion on the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation, alleging that employees members had been pressured at gunpoint to impact a disconnection.
In an announcement on Saturday, NISO mentioned a few of its personnel stay unaccounted for following the alleged intervention by operatives described as performing on behalf of the Imo State Authorities. In keeping with the assertion, the intruders entered the management rooms and compelled operators to grant what was termed an “unlawful outage.”
“Info obtained from Owerri signifies that the state authorities operatives, allegedly performing on behalf of the Imo State Authorities, forcefully entered and vandalised the management rooms on the Egbu substation of their bid to compel the operators to grant unlawful outage,” NISO acknowledged. “After forcefully effecting disconnection at gunpoint, all NISO personnel on responsibility on the affected amenities had been held hostage and compelled to open the breakers by the operatives.”
Makes an attempt to acquire clarification from the Imo State Authorities reportedly yielded no response. NISO confirmed that contact was made with Bede Okpara, chairman of the Imo State Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (ISERC), who acknowledged consciousness of the incident and promised to offer additional particulars, however no replace had been obtained on the time of reporting.
“The continued absence of official communication on the standing of our personnel provides the NISO administration severe concern,” the assertion added. NISO additional warned that, ought to it stay unable to establish the protection and whereabouts of its employees, “all transmission substations inside Owerri shall be disconnected from the nationwide grid.”
The incident underscores ongoing tensions over operational management at vital electrical energy infrastructure, and NISO emphasised the necessity for speedy clarification from related authorities to make sure the protection of its employees and the soundness of the transmission community.
