… As Nigerian Army refutes attack EKEDC substation
BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has called for the intervention of the National Security Adviser (NSA) Malam Nuhu Ribadu over the invasion of security operatives on the Distribution Companies (DisCos).
The Minister made this call while condemning an attack by the Nigerian Army on Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) facility and staff in Badagry following a launched assault on Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) about two weeks ago.
The attack at the EKEDC substation in Badagry took place on Friday, March 14, 2025.
It will be recalled that in March, 2016, some soldiers attached to the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Barracks, Abeokuta in Ogun State, invaded Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) substation at Olumo area and allegedly tortured a staff found on duty over poor power supply.
A statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, said the Minister described as unacceptable the vandalism, destruction and forceful abduction of staff and also poses a direct threat to the stability of Nigeria’s power supply and the economic well-being of the country.
He added that there are ways such issues could be handled without resorting to violence especially in a democratic setting.
“Attacks on these facilities and staff on duty undermine the efforts of the Federal Government to ensure stable and reliable power supply to homes, businesses, and public institutions. The repeated targeting of power infrastructure and the personnel of distribution companies by uniformed personnel, who are expected to protect national assets, are deeply troubling and raises serious concerns about discipline and accountability within our armed forces”, Adelabu stated.
The statement further noted that the Nigerian Army was emboldened to attack EKEDC facilities and staff because of the silence of the Federal Government on the earlier invasion of Ikeja Electric by the Air Force. “The NSA has to wade into this matter in order to forestall further attacks”.
According to the Minister, the attack on EKEDC substation has resulted in significant damage, leading to power outages and disruptions in service to thousands of customers.
He said: “This comes at a time when the government is working tirelessly to improve the efficiency and reliability of the power sector. Such actions are counterproductive and sabotage the collective progress we are striving to achieve.”
While restating commitment to working with all stakeholders to safeguard power infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to all Nigerians, the Minister called on the Nigerian Army to immediately investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Minister further said though he recognises the sensitive role of the military in safeguarding the country and protecting its assets, the military should see the power sector as a partner in progress and not its enemy.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army (NA) has in a followup press statement denied the report of an alleged invasion of the EKEDC’s substation in Badagry by soldiers.
According to the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the allegation was made during an interview conducted by Arise Television with the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors on March 18, 2025.
He said the report failed to present the true picture of what transpired and therefore portends an attempt to mislead the public.
In setting the records straight, Ayeni maintained that the Badagry community where Topo Barracks is located has been grappling with power outage for over one month, despite this challenge, the community in Badagry, including the barrack community, have been managing with the situation in the face of repeated reassurances by the EKEDC.
He noted that eventually, the power supply was restored in the early hours of March 14, 2025, at about 12:30a.m.
“However, following the restoration, a power surge occurred, triggering a fire incident in the barracks at a facility managed by EKEDC.This caused serious panic in the barracks, and in response, the soldiers on duty immediately coordinated efforts with EKEDC personnel to contain the situation.
“The company’s technical staff were granted access to the barracks at about 1:00a.m., to rectify the fault, and they departed around 2:30a.m., after successfully addressing the issue.
“It is crucial to emphasise that while a misunderstanding occurred between a soldier and an EKEDC staff member during the process, it was swiftly and amicably resolved on the spot.
“This incident occurred in the Barracks and not in EKEDC premises.
“At no time was the EKEDC substation company in Badagry invaded by any soldier, and neither was any staff of the company abducted or detained in the barracks.
“Furthermore, the Commanding Officer of the unit has maintained a longstanding relationship with EKEDC’s leadership in Badagry, which remains unchanged.
“To ensure transparency and ascertain the precise cause of the fire outbreak, the Commanding Officer immediately constituted a Board of Inquiry to investigate the incident.
“It was also observed that during the interview with Arise TV, the footage repeatedly aired by the station was entirely of a different incident, and the troops in the visual footage were not personnel of the NA. This has created a misleading narrative that suggests a hostile standoff between the NA and EKEDC,” the Nigerian Army disclosed.