A group of youths in Ologbo community, Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo state has held journalists and members of civil society groups hostage for nearly one hour, disrupting efforts by Ossiomo Power Company to restore electricity supply to its customers in Benin City and environs.

The incident occurred as the visitors were leaving the Ossiomo gas plant, where the company had planned to switch on its Independent Power Plant (IPP) II unit as part of efforts to resume electricity generation after about 10 months of disrupted operations.

The journalists and civil society groups, including members of the Talakawa’s Parliament led by Marxist Kola Edokpayi, had gone to the facility to witness the planned restoration of power and express support for the company’s operations.

However, shortly after the visitors commenced their departure, the youths allegedly stormed the area, blocked the only exit route and demanded to know why the group had entered the community without their authorisation.

The situation became tense as the youth allegedly threatened the visitors, with security personnel eventually intervening to prevent the confrontation from escalating.

A journalist, an Ossiomo driver and a staff of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were allegedly harassed during the incident.

One of the youths boasted that “you people will not leave peacefully if the government becomes aware of your presence in this area.”

Before the confrontation, the civil society groups had displayed placards expressing solidarity with Ossiomo Power Company and condemning what they described as vandalism of the company’s facilities.

Ossiomo Power Company has reportedly been unable to operate fully for nearly one year, leaving several thousands of its customers without its electricity supply.

The company had earlier alleged the vandalism of its 33KV transmission lines and the forceful takeover of its gas facility.

Ossiomo had also alleged that the dispute was linked to Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Co. Ltd (CCETC), while stating that it had contributed nearly N200 million to the community as part of its corporate social responsibility.