- Ikeja Electric raises the alarm over increasing vandalism and theft of its facilities, particularly in Epe and Ikorodu, disrupting power supply and local businesses.
- Two suspects were arraigned in December for vandalising Ikeja Electric’s Ariel Bundle Cable to steal electricity, with their trial set for January 28, 2025.
Ikeja Electric (IE) has raised concerns about the rising incidence of vandalism and theft of its infrastructure across Lagos State. Kingsley Okotie, the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted these issues during a recent stakeholder engagement, stressing the severe impact on the power supply and local economies.
Okotie pointed out that the escalation of vandalism, particularly in Epe and its surrounding areas, is deeply troubling. He noted that these criminal activities are disrupting power access for law-abiding residents and businesses, which, in turn, harms socio-economic activities and livelihoods.
A recent example of this criminal activity occurred on Saturday, September 14, 2024, in Ikorodu. Vandals targeted the company’s Ariel Bundle Cable (ABC), a critical component of the newly introduced Intelligence Data Box (IDB) technology for pre-paid meters. The cable was cut, causing damage to the insulation, and a new service wire was illegally connected to siphon electricity into an apartment in Jubilee Estate, Odogunyan, Ikorodu.
Following an investigation, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested and charged two suspects, Akintola Monsurat Olayinka and Obigbo Moses, in connection with the crime. The defendants were arraigned at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on 11 December 2024, facing charges related to unlawful tampering and damage of the Ariel Bundle Cable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act. Their trial is set for 28 January 2025.
Okotie called on the public, community groups, traditional institutions, and security agencies to collaborate with Ikeja Electric to fight against vandalism and energy theft. He urged residents to report any suspicious activities or hideouts of vandals in their communities, as unchecked vandalism will continue to cause power outages and disruptions to economic activities.
“The need for collective action with security agencies and other stakeholders to address this issue is critical,” Okotie emphasised. “We are losing valuable resources, replacing stolen or damaged items and the lost revenue from interrupted services. We encourage the public to use our independent reporting channels to expose these criminals while ensuring the safety of whistleblowers.”