Nigeria’s power issue is one of the many things that leave the people with bewilderment when they consider whether the end is near. Every now and then, there are power outages and people throw one or two lamentations, dragging Ikeja Electric and pouring some vulgar words.
One of the issues is that the power company battles rising vandalism and energy theft.
In Ikorodu, for instance, vandals cut critical cables, disrupted services, and prompted authorities to make arrests.
Now, the is asking communities to help protect infrastructure and ensure reliable supply.
With the plea, Ikeja Electric warns that these crimes are disrupting electricity supply and straining its operations.
The company revealed that these illegal activities not only undermine power delivery but also hinder socio-economic progress, leaving many customers in hardship.
During a recent stakeholder meeting, head of corporate communications, Kingsley Okotie, expressed grave concern over the increasing incidents in areas like Epe.
He highlighted a specific case in Ikorodu, where vandals targeted an Ariel Bundle Cable (ABC), a critical component of the company’s prepaid metering system.
Vandals had cut the cable, stripped its insulation, and illegally connected a wire to siphon electricity into an apartment in Jubilee Estate, Odogunyan.
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Suspects Arrested
As a result, Ikeja Electric promptly launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of two suspects, Akintola Olayinka and Obigbo Moses, by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Authorities arraigned the suspects at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on December 11, 2024.
Both face charges of conspiracy and unlawful tampering under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
Their trial is scheduled to resume on January 28, 2025.
Meanwhile, Okotie urged community leaders, security agencies, and residents to collaborate with the company to combat vandalism and energy theft.
He explained that replacing damaged infrastructure imposes high costs, while frequent outages harm businesses and economic activities.
To ensure a reliable power supply, Okotie encouraged citizens to report vandals and safeguard electricity infrastructure.
He emphasised that a united effort is essential to curbing these crimes and sustaining economic growth.
Ikeja Electric remains determined to address these challenges and deliver dependable electricity to its customers.
