Ikorodu, Lagos – Disruptions to power supply across Lagos State, stemming from a significant increase in vandalism of electricity infrastructure, have prompted Ikeja Electric, the leading electricity distribution company, to intensify its efforts to combat this criminal activity.
The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Okotie, revealed that cases of vandalism have spiked, particularly in the Epe community. He noted that these incidents deprive law-abiding citizens of stable electricity, severely affecting their livelihoods.
Okotie referenced a specific case from September 14, 2024, when vandals in Ikorodu tampered with an Ariel Bundle Cable (ABC) linked to the company’s pre-paid metering system. This illegal act enabled unauthorized electricity access at a residence in Jubilee Estate.
Following the incident, Ikeja Electric launched an investigation, leading to the arrest and arraignment of suspects by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The case remains in court, with a trial date scheduled for January 28, 2025.
To curb the rising trend, Okotie has called for collective action. He appealed to community leaders, traditional institutions, and security agencies to collaborate in identifying and reporting vandals’ activities. Safeguarding the company’s infrastructure is critical for ensuring an uninterrupted power supply and supporting Lagos’s economic growth.
We must work together with security agencies and stakeholders to stop this alarming trend, Okotie stated. Vandalism not only disrupts electricity distribution but also leads to considerable financial losses for Ikeja Electric.