Ikeja Electric (IE) has expressed serious concerns over the increasing incidents of vandalism and theft targeting its facilities, particularly in Epe and surrounding areas. The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Okotie, highlighted the disturbing rise in these criminal activities during a recent stakeholder engagement. He emphasized that the actions of vandals are severely disrupting power supply to law-abiding citizens, causing significant socio-economic impacts on businesses and livelihoods.
Okotie referenced an incident on September 14, 2024, in Ikorodu, where vandals damaged the Ariel Bundle Cable (ABC) part of the newly introduced Intelligence Data Box (IDB) technology used for pre-paid meters. The cable was cut, and a new service wire was illegally connected to steal electricity from an apartment in Jubilee Estate, Odogunyan, Lagos. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) responded swiftly, arresting the suspects, Akintola Monsurat Olayinka and Obigbo Moses, who were later charged at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. Their case is set for trial on January 28, 2025.
In his appeal, Okotie urged the public, community groups, traditional institutions, and security agencies to collaborate in combating vandalism and energy theft. He called for greater efforts to protect the company’s assets, stressing that unchecked criminal activities will continue to cause power outages and economic disruptions. Okotie also encouraged the public to utilize independent communication channels to report vandalism anonymously, ensuring the safety of whistleblowers.
