Ikeja Electric decries rising vandalism, prosecutes two for energy theft
07 January 2025 |
5:03 am
Ikeja Electric has raised concerns over 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.
Ikeja Electric has raised concerns over 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.
Head of Corporate Communications at Ikeja Electric, Kingsley Okotie, in a statement yesterday, reiterated its commitment to combating these challenges, including energy theft, which continues to pose a significant threat to its operations.
To this end, he said it has taken legal action against two individuals allegedly involved in energy theft, charging them to court to serve as a deterrent to others.
The firm also revealed that the frequent vandalisation led to significant service disruptions, affecting many of its customers. Expressing concerns over the alarming rate of vandalism, particularly in the Epe community and its environment, Okotie, emphasised that such activities do not only disrupt power supply but also hinder socio-economic activities, leaving law-abiding citizens and businesses in distress.
Citing an incident which took place in Ikorodu last year, Okotie explained how the company’s Aerial Bundle Cable (ABC), an integral part of the newly introduced Intelligence Data Box (IDB) technology solution for pre-paid meters was vandalised.
He 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.”
Okotie stressed that following an investigation, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested two suspects, namely: Akintola Monsurat Olayinka and Obigbo Moses, who were later arraigned at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on December 11, 2024.
According to him, the defendants were charged with conspiracy and unlawful tampering with Ikeja Electric’s assets, which was 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, he said, was adjourned to January 28, 2025. Okotie appealed to the public, community leaders, traditional institutions, and security agencies to support Ikeja Electric in the fight against vandalism and energy theft.
He also urged them to assist in exposing their 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.
He stressed the economic and operational toll these crimes impose on the company and society at large. Okotie further encouraged customers to use the company’s whistleblowing platform to report incidents of vandalism or energy theft anonymously.
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