- IBEDC reports over 8,000 cases of energy theft, causing financial losses in the hundreds of millions of naira between January and October 2024.
- The company has partnered with SIPETO to investigate and prosecute energy theft offenders, emphasising severe penalties under the Electricity Act.
The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has reported over 8,000 cases of energy theft, including meter bypass and illegal tampering, between January and October 2024, leading to financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of naira. Busolami Tunwase, the company’s spokesperson, revealed this during a statement in Abeokuta, also announcing a new partnership with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPETO) to identify, investigate, and prosecute those involved in energy theft.
Engr. Francis Agoha, acting Managing Director/CEO of IBEDC, reiterated the company’s zero-tolerance policy on energy theft, emphasising the serious consequences for offenders. “Energy theft is a major challenge that disrupts our ability to provide reliable service. We are strengthening our efforts through collaborations like this to ensure that offenders face legal action,” he said.
According to Engr. Agoha, the partnership with SIPETO is crucial for improving the company’s ability to detect and prosecute energy theft while also sending a clear message that such practices will not be tolerated. He added, “Energy theft undermines our operations and deprives us of resources necessary for better service delivery.”
IBEDC also urged customers to avoid energy theft and warned them of severe penalties, including imprisonment, as prescribed under the Electricity Act. The company assured the public that SIPETO patrols actively and diligently investigate reported cases.
IBEDC also stressed the importance of public awareness in combating energy theft. The company encouraged customers to report suspicious activities and assured them that all reports would be investigated thoroughly. IBEDC further emphasised that energy theft hampers the company’s ability to improve service delivery and affects the overall electricity distribution network, leading to higher operational costs and power outages. The company remains committed to ensuring a reliable and sustainable power supply for its customers and called for greater cooperation from the public in addressing this critical issue.