- Businesses and homes face prosecution for illegal power use.
- IBEDC strengthens cooperation with security agencies to curb offences.
The IBEDC crackdown on energy theft has intensified as the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company expands its enforcement drive across its entire franchise. The company confirmed new arrests and stated that prosecution has already begun for several serious offences. The IBEDC’s crackdown on energy theft continues to inform its broader safety and protection strategy.
IBEDC announced legal action against Mrs Adebola Arowona, a resident of Oluyole Estate in Ibadan. The company revealed that she assaulted a staff member and damaged an operational vehicle during a routine inspection. The inspection took place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, and officials promptly identified signs of meter tampering and energy theft on the premises.
The situation escalated when the team attempted to disconnect the supply. Mrs Arowona, supported by a man believed to be her husband, resisted the operation and turned violent. She pushed a technician off a ladder, and she also slapped another staff member. A video of the incident later circulated online, showing a clear part of the confrontation. It also captured the moment she smashed the windscreen of the company’s Hilux vehicle with a stone. Police arrested her soon afterwards, while the man suspected to be her husband escaped and remains wanted.
IBEDC stressed that it will pursue the case fully because it intends to discourage such attacks in future. It noted that justice must follow every verified breach to protect staff and assets.
The company also disclosed that several other cases of energy theft are ready for prosecution through its work with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Taskforce on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO). These cases involve multiple individuals and business owners within the Osun region, and their hearings have begun in different courts across the franchise area.
IBEDC expressed deep concern about the rise in vandalism, illegal connections, and assaults on employees. It reaffirmed its zero-tolerance approach because such actions disrupt service delivery and endanger lives. The company urged communities to support its efforts and report suspicious activities promptly. It also pledged continued collaboration with security agencies to identify and prosecute offenders while investing in stronger infrastructure and safer operations for its workforce.