AEDC dismantles transformer at Berger camp

There was a mild drama as security operatives led by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) dismantled a transformer at Berger camp, Kubwa.

The incident, which happened at about 11.00a.m. Wednesday, drew the ire of the occupants of the camp and the police had to shoot into the air and fire teargas to disperse the crowd.

Peace, however has since returned when City News arrived the camp few minutes after the incident.

One of the occupants, Julius Ojukwu, who said he has stayed at the facility since 1996, claimed about 150 armed regular and mobile policemen stormed the yard and knocked on doors that occupants should vacate the premises.

Ojukwu, who said he was the financial secretary of the Berger 99 workers, added that he was surprised at the turn of events, saying their case was still in court.

“We have problem with Julius Berger since 1999 and the matter is still at the Supreme Court.

“Last year they attempted to carry the transformer but failed. Today I was surprised to see them again,” he said.

He said one of the officers confided in him that they acted on a petition filed at the station that the place was occupied by criminals.

“I don’t know how criminality connects to the transformer,” he said.

Another occupant, Umoru Collins, who said he has stayed in the facility since 1994, added that as the police were instructing people to vacate the premises, AEDC staff were at the transformer dismantling it.

“The residents were gathering and in order to disperse them and allow AEDC staff to remove the transformer, they shot into the air for more than four times,” Sunday Dike, another occupant said adding that they later fired some canisters of tear gas.

The Kubwa Divisional Police Officer, CSP Ayobami Surajudeen, declined commenting on the issue but directed our reporters to the FCT Police Command.

He said the camp had been a threat to the residents, as it was a den of criminals. He said the occupants who said they were Berger staff have no recognized leadership.

On his part, the branch manager of AEDC Kubwa, Abdullahi Abdurrahman, declined commenting as he referred our reporters to Julius Berger.