The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has reported a violent intrusion at its corporate headquarters by personnel from the Nigerian Air Force’s Sam Ethnan Air Force Base.
The incursion, triggered by a N4 billion unpaid electricity bill, resulted in the brutalization of IKEDC staff and journalists, including a correspondent from PUNCH Newspapers, Dare Olawin
The Air Force personnel, who arrived in military vehicles, forcefully entered the premises after an ultimatum to reconnect their power supply expired.
Journalists present at the IKEDC headquarters for a separate assignment were subjected to severe physical assault. Olawin and other reporters were dragged from their vehicle, beaten, and forced to sit on the ground. Their personal belongings, including phones, a power bank, and a TVC cameraman’s equipment, were confiscated.
Olawin sustained an eye injury during the assault. The Air Force operatives, including a woman and individuals in civilian clothing, seized control of the IKEDC office, physically assaulting employees and blocking access to the premises.
The Air Force personnel seized IKEDC engineers and drivers, intending to force them to reconnect the base to the national grid. IKEDC spokesperson, Kingsley Okotie, explained that the disconnection was due to the base’s accumulated debt of N4 billion. He detailed the extensive damage caused by the Air Force personnel, including vandalized doors, CCTV cameras, and other office equipment. Okotie expressed his shock and dismay at the unprovoked attack, emphasizing that IKEDC is a privatized entity that relies on customer payments to operate.
Okotie recounted previous attempts to resolve the debt issue, including agreements brokered by Air Force officials, which were subsequently violated. He accused the base of manipulating their installations to exceed regulated power supply hours. He further stated that the Air Force issued a 48-hour ultimatum for reconnection, followed by the violent invasion. Okotie demanded justice, calling on the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, to hold the responsible personnel accountable. He expressed fear for the safety of IKEDC employees, stating that they felt their lives were in danger
The attack resulted in significant damage to IKEDC’s infrastructure, including vandalized servers, backup databases, and CCTV systems. Offices, including the IT department and the Managing Director’s office, were forcibly entered and damaged. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democracy. NANS called for a thorough investigation and criticized the Air Force’s unprofessional conduct.
Sources within the Sam Ethnan Air Force base revealed that after the disconnection, some officers illegally connected to airport electricity feeders. The Nigerian Air Force spokesperson, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, acknowledged the incident and stated that it was being addressed, promising an official statement. However, no statement had been released at the time of reporting. The incident follows a recent PUNCH Metro report detailing a 12-day blackout at the Air Force Base, which caused significant disruption and hardship for residents.
Okotie explained that the feeder supplying the Airforce base was de-energized, but that other customers were also on that feeder. He also stated that IKEDC staff were afraid to enter the Airforce base to disconnect only the base, due to threats of violence. He said that IKEDC was concerned that the Airforce may return and continue their actions.
