Four officials from the Benin Electricity Distribution Commission (BEDC) have been apprehended on suspicion of their involvement in the recent tragic electrocution of their colleague, Engr. August Izekor. This incident occurred in the vicinity of Evbodia, near Benin City.
BEDC’s Chief Security Officer, Col. David Aghedo (retired), confirmed the arrest of the engineers who were present with Engr. Izekor on that fateful day. He explained that these suspects were apprehended at different locations within Edo State by BEDC security personnel. Subsequently, they were turned over to the police at the Iyekogba Police Division in Oredo local government area for questioning and are currently in custody.
Aghedo stated, “They were arrested at various spots, and we are awaiting their responses regarding their involvement in the incident in which he was electrocuted.”
The tragic sequence of events unfolded on October 26, 2023, when Engr. Izekor left his office in Etete, Benin City, with the intention of restoring power to the Evbodia community, which had experienced a power outage. During this assignment, one of his co-workers allegedly ordered the restoration of power, an action that ultimately led to Izekor’s electrocution.
Family members of the deceased raised concerns and pointed fingers at one of his former colleagues, whom Izekor had reportedly accused of plotting to harm him due to his promotion to the department’s head.
On the other hand, the State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, denied having knowledge of the suspects’ arrest.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, BEDC authorities held a meeting with the late Izekor’s family at the corporate headquarters in Benin. They had previously paid their condolences to Izekor’s wife, Mrs. Helen Izekor, and their children.
Dr. Obi Obinna, the Head of Human Capital, led the BEDC management team during these interactions. He expressed the organization’s deep sorrow over the unexpected loss of Mr. Izekor and acknowledged that while it was an accident, it might have been prevented. BEDC promised to support the family in accordance with their established procedures.
Seeking to uncover the circumstances surrounding the engineer’s demise, Mr. Friday Izekor, the deceased’s elder brother, informed the management team that the family had enlisted the services of a private investigator who had uncovered some pertinent details. He expressed regret that the incident occurred on October 26 at approximately 2 pm, and his colleagues initially fled the scene, only to return around 4 pm to transport him to the hospital near Airport Road. Unfortunately, by the time he arrived at the hospital, he was unconscious, and despite efforts to resuscitate him, he passed away around 11 pm. The family lamented that had he been taken to the hospital on time, his life might have been saved.