The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), a power distribution company serving Lagos State, Nigeria, found itself at the center of a disturbing incident involving members of the Nigerian Army. In the early hours of March 14, 2025, soldiers reportedly stormed an EKEDC office in Badagry, Lagos, allegedly in response to a power outage affecting their barracks. This aggressive action followed a similar incident just a week prior, where Nigerian Air Force personnel attacked the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company headquarters, highlighting a troubling trend of military personnel targeting utility companies.
The attack on the EKEDC facility involved the alleged abduction of two staff members – a Distribution System Operator (DSO) and a security officer – who were reportedly taken to the nearby 15th Field Engineers Regiment barracks. The soldiers’ grievance stemmed from a week-long power outage at their barracks. EKEDC officials maintained that they had communicated the reason for the outage – a Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) upgrade in Agbara – to the barracks’ commanding officer. They further explained that attempts to restore power had been hampered by excess load on the feeder. Despite these explanations, the detained EKEDC employees were allegedly subjected to several hours of torture before being released.
The incident sparked outrage and concern within the Nigerian power sector. Sunday Oduntan, CEO of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), expressed shock at the second military attack on a Disco within a week. He condemned the trend of military aggression towards utility companies, highlighting the vulnerability of electricity workers. Babatunde Lasaki, spokesperson for EKEDC, echoed these sentiments, describing the attack as unfortunate and pointing to the lack of consequences for the previous attack on Ikeja Electric as a contributing factor to the escalating violence. He stressed that power supply is a complex process involving multiple stakeholders and that attacks on Discos are misplaced and counterproductive.
EKEDC responded to the incident by reporting it to the police and initiating the process of petitioning higher authorities, including the Chief of Army Staff, the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of Power. Lasaki emphasized the need for swift action from the government to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of electricity workers. He argued that the lack of accountability for previous incidents emboldens such behavior, creating a dangerous precedent for the future. The company’s legal team is actively pursuing the matter, seeking justice for their employees and demanding an end to the unwarranted harassment.
Initially, the Nigerian Army denied any knowledge of the incident. Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Information for the Nigerian Army, initially claimed to be unaware of the events. However, after further inquiries, he presented a contrasting narrative. He asserted that no EKEDC staff had been detained and that the interaction between soldiers and EKEDC personnel stemmed from a fire outbreak at an EKEDC facility within the barracks. According to Nwachukwu, the soldiers and EKEDC staff worked together to extinguish the fire, and a minor misunderstanding that arose was quickly resolved.
Nwachukwu’s version of events diverged significantly from the account provided by EKEDC. He portrayed the interaction as collaborative rather than confrontational, emphasizing the existing cordial relationship between the barracks and the company. He mentioned that a board of inquiry had been established to investigate the cause of the fire. This discrepancy between the two accounts underscores the need for a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the true sequence of events and hold those responsible for any wrongdoing accountable. The conflicting narratives highlight the importance of transparency and due process in addressing such sensitive incidents, particularly those involving the military and essential service providers.
