Police Officer Arrested After Threatening Kaduna Electric Staff With Knife

An individual said to be an officer of the Nigeria Police Force has been arrested after attacking an employee of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO).

Naija News understands that the individual, named Inspector Aminu Yahaya Bidda, who is affiliated with the Tudun Wada Police Station in the Kaduna metropolis, was arrested after a video clip of him wielding a knife at the electricity staff went live on the internet.

Bidda was observed assaulting the victim and making multiple attempts to stab other employees of the distribution company with a knife.

Kaduna Electric formally reported the incident to the State Police Command through a petition directed to the Police Commissioner.

In this petition, the electricity distribution company requested the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Inspector Bidda for charges including assault, attempted murder, harassment, and intimidation of their personnel.

In addition to requesting the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a comprehensive investigation, Kaduna Electric urged the police commissioner to intervene and ensure the protection of its staff, allowing them to perform their official duties without obstruction.

A statement released and signed by the Head of Corporate Communications at KAEDCO, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, emphasized that the actions of the police officer not only contravened the law but also risked establishing a perilous precedent that could threaten the fragile peace currently maintained in the state.

“The action of the Police Officer, to say the least, is in sharp contrast with the law and Police code of conduct; the relevant Police Authority shall be petitioned for appropriate administrative actions and subsequent prosecution,” the statement said.

The statement further indicated that Inspector Bidda “brutally assaulted the personnel of the Company who were lawfully present at his residence on Rimaye Road, Hayin Danmani, conducting a routine inspection of his Pre-paid meter.”

The DisCo reported that investigations revealed the customer had purchased electricity only twice this year.

According to Leadership, witnesses recounted that the staff from Kaduna Electric had come to the police officer’s residence to examine his meter due to suspicions of bypassing.

The situation quickly deteriorated when the officer, clearly agitated as depicted in a widely circulated video, wielded a knife and made multiple attempts to inflict serious harm on the electricity worker.

Fortunately, the employee managed to evade injury. However, a bystander who attempted to intervene suffered significant injuries to his leg.

This violent episode has ignited conversations regarding the safety of utility workers and the difficulties they encounter in upholding regulations.

The Rigasa Division of the Kaduna State Police Command has since arrested and detained the accused officer.