Ikeja Electric Plc, Nigeria’s leading electricity distribution company, has expressed grave concerns over the persistent vandalism of its assets across Lagos State, citing its negative impact on service delivery and socio-economic activities.
The company made this known during a recent stakeholder engagement on the 6th of January 2025, where it lamented the losses incurred in 2024 due to the rising cases of vandalism and energy theft.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Kingsley Okotie, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted that the Epe community and its environs were among the hardest hit by these illegal activities.
He noted that the damage caused by vandals disrupts electricity supply, depriving law-abiding customers and businesses of reliable power while imposing additional costs on the company to replace stolen or damaged infrastructure.
One such incident occurred in Ikorodu on Saturday, 14th September 2024, where an Ariel Bundle Cable (ABC) – a critical component of Ikeja Electric’s newly introduced Intelligence Data Box (IDB) for prepaid meters – was vandalized.
The insulation of the cable was damaged, and a new service wire was illegally connected to divert electricity to an apartment in Jubilee Estate, Odogunyan, Ikorodu.
Following an investigation, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested two suspects, Akintola Monsurat Olayinka and Obigbo Moses.
They were arraigned at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on 11th December 2024, facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and tampering with Ikeja Electric’s property in violation of Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The case was adjourned to 28th January 2025 for trial.
Kingsley Okotie appealed to the public, community leaders, traditional institutions, and security agencies to collaborate with Ikeja Electric in combating vandalism and energy theft.
He emphasized that these illegal acts not only disrupt power supply but also hinder the economic stability of communities reliant on electricity for business and daily activities.
“The unchecked activities of these vandals continue to foist unpleasant power outages on law-abiding citizens. We are losing significant resources in replacing stolen or damaged items and revenue lost during supply disruptions. We urge the public to report any suspicious activities through our whistleblowing platforms, which ensure confidentiality and safety for whistleblowers,” Okotie stated.
Ikeja Electric restated its commitment to efficient service delivery in 2025 and urged the public to join hands in protecting its infrastructure to ensure a reliable and uninterrupted power supply.
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