Officials of the PHCN Ilorin yesterday resumed to their Zango branch office only to discover a strange earthen pot by the gate suspected to be an object of rituals.

The black pot, which was discovered by the workers of the PHCN at about 8.00 am, consisting of morsel of solid pap (eko), palm oil, snail, feathers among other ritual items.

The workers, who were initially shocked by the development and gathered in groups discussing in hush tones. later summoned up the courage to stay by their duties posts.

It is recalled that the PHCN customers in most parts of the country have been complaining of crazy bills being issued by the power company in past months, while there is ongoing move to put power distribution in the private operations of Nigerian companies.

The Service Manager of Kulende Service Unit, Ilorin, Mr. Ibrahim Popoola Abubakar, described the display of the ritual as a rude shock as it remained unprecedented in the history of the corporation.

Abubakar said that the development was not unconnected with the long-time feud and cold war between the company and its customers at Sabo Oke community, Ilorin, adding that the police command in the state had already intervened on the matter.

The people of Sabo Oke community had been at war with the PHCN staff in the unit over alleged high power bills being issued by the company, just as the community had disallowed the PHCN staff from entering the community to disconnect payment defaulters in the area.

"We met with the Kwara state commissioner of police on Thursday with the people of Sabo Oke on the issue of PHCN defaulters and we are supposed to meet with the DPO of the 'A' Division of police in the state today (Friday). It is so surprising to be confronted with this funny drama in the form of ritual sacrifice this morning.

"And you can imagine that the people behind this ugly act consist of Muslims and Christians and the sacrifice is being put in the premises where we also have offices of other religious bodies. It is so sad", he said.

On what he intended to do with the substance, the PHCN boss said the material would be left there, adding that he was not competent to take action on behalf of the PHCN.

Reacting to the development, one of the stakeholders in Sabo Oke community, Mallam Abubakar, denied the allegation, saying the allegation is unfounded. "Did anyone arrest a member of Sabo Oke area putting the substance there? People should fear God," he said.