Ikeja Electric has raised alarms over the increasing rate of vandalism and energy theft plaguing its network, stating that these issues are hampering its ability to deliver consistent and reliable power to its customers.
In a statement, Kingsley Okotie, Head of Corporate Communications at Ikeja Electric, reiterated the company’s commitment to tackling these challenges. He revealed that legal action has been taken against two individuals accused of energy theft to serve as a deterrent to others.
The company disclosed that persistent vandalism, particularly in areas like Epe and its environs, has led to significant disruptions in power supply, impacting households and businesses. Okotie emphasized that these illegal activities not only disrupt power delivery but also hinder socio-economic progress, leaving communities in distress.
Highlighting a notable incident in Ikorodu last year, Okotie detailed how the company’s Aerial Bundle Cable (ABC)—a critical component of its Intelligence Data Box (IDB) technology for pre-paid meters—was vandalized.
“The cable was cut, the insulation damaged, and a new service wire was illegally connected to siphon electricity into an apartment in Jubilee Estate, Odogunyan, Ikorodu,” he explained.
Following an investigation, two suspects, Akintola Monsurat Olayinka and Obigbo Moses, were apprehended by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and arraigned at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on December 11, 2024. They were charged with conspiracy and unlawful tampering with Ikeja Electric’s assets, offenses punishable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act. The trial is set to resume on January 28, 2025.
Okotie appealed to community leaders, traditional institutions, and security agencies to collaborate with Ikeja Electric in combating vandalism and energy theft. He also urged citizens to report these crimes through the company’s anonymous whistleblowing platform.
“Unchecked activities of vandals result in frequent outages and disruptions to economic activities,” Okotie stressed, calling for intensified efforts to protect the company’s infrastructure.
Ikeja Electric continues to advocate for public cooperation, emphasizing that protecting its assets is vital to ensuring uninterrupted power supply and sustaining economic development.
