Unruly Itsekiri youths in the Ologbo community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State on Thursday blocked efforts by the Ossiomo Power Company to restore Electricity supply in Benin City, Edo State Capital and its environs.
The rampaging youths held journalists and Civil society members hostage for hours during the standoff and frustrated efforts by officials of the Ossiomo Power Company to restore electricity supply to customers in Benin City and its environs, and allegedly prevented officials of Ossiomo from switching on the IPP II turbine at the Ossiomo gas plant.
Ossiomo Power Company has been out of operation for nearly one year, following the illegal takeover of its gas plant by youths whose actions are reportedly influenced by a Chinese firm known as Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Co. Ltd (CCETC).
When news filtered to the public that the multi-billion-naira power company was set to resume electricity supply to thousands of customers—the majority of whom have endured 10 months of darkness—Civil society groups, including the Talakawa’s Parliament led by its Speaker, Marxist Kola Edokpayi, alongside journalists, mobilized to Ologbo to witness the event.
At the site, placard-carrying civil society members declared support for Ossiomo Power Company and condemned the vandalization of its facilities by hoodlums, emphasizing that the plant remains critical to the state’s economic and industrial development.
They noted that electricity is a major driver of growth and urged Edo residents to safeguard initiatives capable of improving power supply and boosting local businesses.
The groups called for peace and cooperation among stakeholders, stressing that attention should focus on restoring reliable electricity, which Ossiomo provided before operations were forcefully halted.
Inscriptions on the placards read: “Almighty God said to Ossiomo Power Company, Let there be light in Edo State”, “Talakawas is in solidarity with Ossiomo Power Company”, “Talakawas Support Ossiomo Power Company”, “Ossiomo Power Company has come to stay.
“We say no to VANDALISM”, “Light shines over darkness”, “Light brings development”, “Ossiomo Power Company is our own”, and “Everybody should support Ossiomo Power Company”, among others.
Stakeholders, particularly residents of the Ologbo community, were urged to protect the power facilities to guarantee sustained electricity generation.
An appeal was also directed to Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Benin Monarch to intervene swiftly to enable Ossiomo Power Company to resume operations.
Previously, the power company alleged the vandalism of its 33KV transmission lines and the forceful takeover of its gas station by suspected Itsekiri youths, despite having provided the community with nearly 200 million naira in corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.
However, as Civil society members and journalists drove out of the area, a large group of irate youths stormed the location, threatening violence.
They held individuals hostage for nearly an hour, demanding to know why visitors entered the area without authorization and insisting that only visitors to CCETC were welcome.
The youths, who blocked the sole exit route, threatened to attack journalists and civil society members before security personnel deployed to protect the property intervened.
Despite this, the fierce-looking youths, led by one Felix Okotie, rough-handled several individuals, including a journalist, an Ossiomo Power Company driver, and a security operative from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The rampaging youths claimed they were acting on behalf of the community and the state government. One enraged youth shouted, “If the governor (Senator Monday Okpebholo) hears you people are here, you people will not leave here in peace.”
Reports indicate that the group led by Felix Okotie has a history of attacking citizens and security personnel without repercussion, fueling suspicions that they enjoy backing from high and mighty individuals and operate above the law in Nigeria.
