Friday, 07 March 2025 04:47

Nigerian Air Force personnel invade power company office in Lagos over blackout

Rate this item
(0 votes)

On Thursday at 7:40 a.m., armed Nigerian Air Force personnel from the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja, Lagos, forcibly entered the headquarters of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), located opposite the MITV building. Led by a female officer, the military group blocked nearby roads and held staff and visitors inside, causing disruption and unease in the vicinity.

Reason Behind the Military Action

The incident stemmed from a two-week power outage at the Air Force base, triggered by IKEDC disconnecting supply due to an unpaid debt amounting to millions of naira. Sources revealed that the Air Force had a standing agreement with IKEDC to pay N60 million monthly for 10–12 hours of electricity daily. The blackout disrupted critical operations at the base, including medical services, water supply, and an armament storage facility requiring constant cooling to avoid overheating. A military insider, speaking off the record, referenced the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment bomb explosion as a grim warning of what poor maintenance could lead to, stating, “Another disaster like that would devastate Lagos.”

IKEDC’s Position

Kingsley Okotie, IKEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, responded by clarifying that the base operates under a Band A feeder and has only paid for the electricity supplied so far, yet a substantial debt remains. “The disconnection isn’t solely about money,” he said.

“We need to install equipment at the base to enhance supply, but we’ve been denied entry.”

Okotie added that IKEDC staff have faced aggression when attempting to work within the barracks, complicating efforts to address technical issues. He emphasized the company’s willingness to cooperate, provided the Air Force grants access for necessary upgrades.

Plea for a Solution

The anonymous military source demanded that IKEDC restore power within 48 hours, cautioning that prolonged disconnection could pose significant security risks. Meanwhile, Okotie stressed that payment for consumed energy is non-negotiable and urged both sides to engage in talks to settle the matter peacefully. The Nigerian Air Force has not yet issued an official statement on the standoff.

May 02, 2025

Dangote says he’s comfortable with Trump tariffs on urea exports

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote said on Thursday he was "comfortable" with the impact President Donald…
May 01, 2025

Appeal Court upholds conviction of professor who rigged election for Akpabio amid public outrage

The Court of Appeal in Calabar has upheld the conviction and three-year prison sentence of…
May 02, 2025

4 rules for better conversations: ‘We’re all very hungry to feel understood,’ says Harvard professor

Aditi Shrikant I attended a party recently where the conversation just couldn’t gain momentum. Many…
April 26, 2025

Declassified CIA file about UFO aliens attacking soldiers released

A declassified document posted to the CIA’s website is raising eyebrows with claims of an…
April 29, 2025

At least 26 people killed as 2 vehicles run over bomb planted by Boko Haram…

At least 26 people were killed on Monday when two vehicles detonated an improvised explosive…
May 02, 2025

What to know after Day 1163 of Russia-Ukraine war

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE US rejected Ukraine’s security guarantee demands – NYT The US has rejected Ukraine’s…
April 27, 2025

Smartphone use could reduce dementia risk in older adults, study finds

The first generation that has been exposed consistently to digital technology has reached the age…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.