-NSCDC officers attack journalist over refusal to bribe PHED officials for ‘distributing darkness’
-I have paid for PHED darkness with my blood- Imoh Etimudo
Fellow Nigerians, I live in an area in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State where you can stay for six months without seeing electricity supply. The area is called 25th Anniversary Estate, Off Idoro Road, Atai Obio Offot. Most people here make use of generators.
I came back home late on Friday about 12am. Surprisingly, I saw electricity light. On Saturday, about 4pm, I was still home, waiting for my wife to return so I can go out. As soon as she entered, we heard a knock at our gate. I went out to check, and met a man who said he came from Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHED.
I received him, we exchanged pleasantries. He asked for my electricity bill. I told him that nearly a year now, they don’t bring it apparently because the area has been covered by darkness shortly before lockdown was imposed in Uyo/Akwa Ibom State.
He then said I should “show me love” which I later understood to mean that I should give him money. I told him I do not have such money; that when they bring my bill, I will go to the office and pay.
He said his boss wanted money, I repeated that I didn’t have. He then asked me to come and meet the desperate boss. I went inside my house to get a shirt. Upon coming out to where the “boss” sat, they had already brought down the wires I bought by myself to connect light into my house.
I was not happy, and complained. They said “shebi you said you don’t have money.” I expressed annoyance. This is a weekend, must it be in weekend! And when they wanted to go with the wire, I attempted to get back my wire.
That earned me the beating of my life by men dressed in NSCDC’s uniform. Six of them in addition to eight others supposedly working for PHED. They shot sporadically with live ammunition and everyone ran for safety. The Civil Defence guys hit me with their guns, my head had a deep cut, and serious wounds in other parts of my body as well as my shoulder that has dislocated. I bled unconsciously. They “arrested” me into the Toyota Camry which they used for the illegal job.
They also disconnected the wire of a neighbour who is using prepaid metre because he didn’t give them the money they requested. I mean he is not owing the useless PHED because he is using prepaid metre but they insisted he has to give them money.
My wife and my parents were equally assaulted for attempting to rescue me. My cousin and my neighbours defied the gun shots and came for me. That delayed their whisking me away like a criminal. I began to regain consciousness and put calls to the Chairman of NUJ in Akwa Ibom State and my lawyer friends. I was about to dial the number of the PPRO in Akwa Ibom State when they snatched the phone from me.
They told me repeatedly that they can kill me and nothing would happen. And they were on the way to their mission accomplishment. I was dripping blood. My red T-shirt saw red blood.
When I asked them where they were taking me to, they said we were going to “cell at NEPA office.’ Till now, I don’t know where that is. PHED also has a cell?
But the calls had achieved some effects that I used my hand to open the car, came out without their interruption. But they had already dispossessed me of all the money in my pocket.
When the residents came out again, they disappeared with the speed of light.
Neighbours said taking me to the hospital was more important than pursuing them. So, they ran away with the act.
I was taken to Itam Police Station to incident the matter before going to the hospital from where I now fully regain consciousness to narrate my excruciating ordeal in the hands of alleged agents of NSCDC bankrolled by the worthless PHED.
This is happening to me when the mood of Nigerians is still sad due to the havoc by SARS.
Please, I am in pains, and I beg for support to enable the perpetrators get punished for taking the laws into their hands.
Amateur photos of a brave neighbour who saw everything speak volume. They are pictures of the actors from NSCDC and PHED.
Thank you.
Imoh Etimudo (08037495946)
