Ikeja Electric Plc, the top electricity distribution company in Nigeria, is sounding the alarm over a disturbing increase in vandalism targeting its infrastructure. The company recently reported the arrest of two individuals allegedly involved in a theft that compromised essential power supply equipment.
In a statement released by Kingsley Okotie, the Head of Corporate Communications for Ikeja Electric, the company expressed its deep concern about how these criminal acts are affecting service delivery. “These acts of vandalism are not just damaging our infrastructure; they’re depriving honest customers of reliable electricity,” Okotie said during a recent stakeholder engagement.
The surge in vandalism has been particularly pronounced in areas like Epe and Ikorodu. In one notable incident on September 14, 2024, vandals cut through an Ariel Bundle Cable (ABC) that is crucial for the company’s new Intelligent Data Box technology used for pre-paid meters. This act of sabotage not only damaged the cable but also allowed the illegal connection of electricity to an apartment in Jubilee Estate, Odogunyan.
Following a thorough investigation by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), two suspects, Akintola Monsurat Olayinka and Obigbo Moses, were arrested and charged in December for their involvement in this vandalism. They face serious charges under Nigerian law for tampering with and damaging Ikeja Electric’s property.
Okotie urged community leaders, traditional institutions, and security agencies to join forces with Ikeja Electric to combat these crimes.
“We lose substantial resources replacing stolen and damaged equipment, not to mention the revenue losses from service interruptions”- Okotie
To help tackle this issue, Ikeja Electric has set up independent communication channels for the public to report incidents of vandalism and energy theft anonymously. Okotie encouraged customers to take advantage of these platforms to protect their communities and support the company’s efforts to maintain reliable power supply.
Ikeja Electric plans to strengthen its collaboration with security agencies and community stakeholders to enhance its fight against vandalism. By increasing public engagement and leveraging technology, the company aims to ensure that all its customers have access to dependable electricity.
