Ikeja Electric has decried the increasing rate of vandalism within its network.
The company disclosed that the persistent damage to its infrastructure is hindering its ability to deliver reliable power to consumers.
In a statement released on Monday, Ikeja Electric reiterated its commitment to combating these challenges, including energy theft, which it said continues to pose a significant threat to its operations.
The company also revealed that it has taken legal actions against two individuals allegedly involved in energy theft, charging them in court to serve as a deterrent to others.
The company revealed that the frequent vandalisation of its assets led to significant service disruptions, affecting many of its customers.
Speaking during a recent stakeholder engagement, the Head of Corporate Communications at Ikeja Electric, Kingsley Okotie, expressed concerns over the alarming rate of vandalism, particularly in the Epe community and its environment.
He stressed that such activities not only disrupt the power supply but also hinder socio-economic activities, leaving law-abiding citizens and businesses in distress.
Citing an incident that took place in Ikorodu last year, Okotie explained how the company’s Ariel Bundle Cable, an integral part of the newly introduced Intelligence Data Box technology solution for prepaid meters was vandalised.
Okotie said, “The cable was cut and the insulation of the ABC got damaged, while a new service wire was illegally connected to steal electricity into an apartment in Jubilee Estate, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos State.”
He mentioned that following an investigation, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps arrested two suspects, Akintola Monsurat Olayinka and Obigbo Moses, who were later arraigned at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on December 11, 2024.
“The defendants were charged with conspiracy and unlawful tampering with Ikeja Electric’s assets, contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and punishable under Section 1(10) of the same Act. The trial was adjourned to January 28, 2025,” he stated.
Okotie appealed to the public, community leaders, traditional institutions, and security agencies to support Ikeja Electric in the fight against vandalism and energy theft, stressing that the economic and operational toll these crimes impose on the company and society at large is enormous.
He urged the people to assist in exposing vandals’ hideouts within their respective communities as well as intensify efforts in protecting the company’s assets, explaining that unchecked activities of vandals result in frequent outages and disruptions to economic activities.
“The need to collaborate and partner with security agencies and other critical stakeholders in stemming this unfortunate tide cannot be overemphasised. We are losing a lot of resources to these infractions both in replacing the stolen and/or damaged items and the revenue that would have accrued if the supply wasn’t interrupted.
“We encourage the use of our independent channels of communications that enables the public to report the activities of these vandals and energy thieves, anywhere without compromising the safety of the whistleblower,” Okotie said.
