… beat some staff over Demand for Payment of over N4 billion Debt
… NAF apologises for Ikeja Electric, vows disciplinary action
Properties worth millions of Naira were vandalized as Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel attacked Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), Lagos headquarters on Thursday morning on account of demand by the company for payment of N4billion owe it by NAF.
Sensitive electronic gadgets and communications facilities, doors and office equipment were vandalised and this subsequently crippled the operations of the company.
The action prompted the electricity company to disconnect electricity to a NAF facility, according to Mr Kingsley Okotie, Head of Corporate Communications for Ikeja Electric.
Mr Kingsley who was leaping as at the time he was briefing the press, said the attack and the disruption took place in the early hours of Thursday when uniformed Air Force officers forcefully entered the premises of the utility company, demanding immediate reconnection to the power grid.
He disclosed that when their reconnection demands were not adhered to, the officers started damaging property and causing chaos within the Ikeja Electric office, prompting concerns over the safety and security of the premises.
According to him, there were significant safety concerns regarding the safety of Ikeja Electric personnel, particularly due to the high level of hostility towards staff members within the Air Force base.
He added:“The disconnection was not just about non-payment. There are operational factors at play, including serious safety concerns for our staff.
“We have faced incidents of harassment, making it increasingly difficult for our staff to work in such conditions”
Meanwhile,the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has issued a formal apology to the management and staff of Ikeja Electric following an invasion of the company’s headquarters by troops attached to its Logistics Command in Lagos.
The apology was delivered during a joint press briefing held at Ikeja Electric’s office, where the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Adeniran Kolade Ademuwagun, condemned the attack and assured that those responsible would face disciplinary measures.
Describing the invasion as “unfortunate,” AVM Ademuwagun emphasised that the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to upholding discipline among its personnel and ensuring that officers operate under strict professional conduct.
“We will investigate what happened and impose appropriate sanctions,” he stated.
“The Nigerian Air Force takes the safety of citizens very seriously, and Ikeja Electric should continue providing services without fear of disturbance.”
He stressed that the force values its relationship with civilian institutions and will take decisive steps to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.
“The dialogue with Ikeja Electric has been fruitful, and we will continue to work on ensuring our men remain under positive control.
“The Nigerian Air Force is a disciplined force, and any action that undermines our integrity will not be tolerated,” he added.
AVM Ademuwagun also reaffirmed the military’s responsibility to protect citizens rather than intimidate them.
“It is our duty to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians, and we do not take that responsibility lightly,” he said.
Speaking at the press briefing, the Chairman of Ikeja Electric, Kola Adesina, detailed the impact of the invasion, revealing that at least 10 staff members were brutalised, while company assets were vandalised or taken away.
“About 200 staff were on-site when the incident occurred. Reports confirmed that 10 individuals were brutalized, and several office assets were destroyed or removed,” Adesina lamented.
He described the attack as “unwarranted and distressing,” highlighting the psychological and physical toll on affected employees.
“It was a terrible experience for our staff, and it disrupted our operations significantly,” he said.
“We are grateful that the leadership of the Air Force has responded swiftly, and we believe that justice will be served.”
Adesina also disclosed that the invasion was linked to a long-standing debt dispute between the Nigerian Air Force and Ikeja Electric.
He stated that an agreement had been reached regarding the N4 billion owed to the electricity distribution company. “As an organization, we have been owed a significant sum—over N4 billion—which we have struggled to recover.
“We have been in discussions about this for some time, and while some payments have been made, the process has been slow,” he explained.
He noted that despite the financial challenges posed by the outstanding debt, Ikeja Electric had continued to provide services to the Air Force and other essential institutions.
“We recognize the importance of the Air Force and its role in national security. However, electricity services must be paid for, as we also have obligations to meet,” Adesina added.
During the engagement, Ikeja Electric officials visited the Air Force base, where they were briefed on the critical electricity supply challenges facing the facility.
Adesina acknowledged the importance of ensuring a stable power supply to military installations, stating that discussions were ongoing to find a sustainable solution.
“We were not only briefed on the unfortunate situation but also shown the critical state of their infrastructure. It was made clear why it is important for them to have a stable electricity supply,” he said.
However, he reiterated that while Ikeja Electric is willing to collaborate with the military on power solutions, outstanding debts must be addressed to ensure continued service delivery.
The incident has sparked concerns about the relationship between the military and civilian institutions, with calls for stricter discipline within the armed forces.
Security analysts have warned that such altercations could erode public trust in the military and create unnecessary tensions between government agencies and private organisations.
“It is important for military authorities to ensure their personnel adhere to professional standards in all engagements with civilians,” said a security expert who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the electricity sector have urged the government to intervene in settling outstanding debts owed by military institutions to prevent future conflicts.
Ikeja Electric has assured its customers that, despite the unfortunate incident, its operations remain uninterrupted, and efforts are being made to enhance service delivery across its coverage areas.
The Nigerian Air Force’s apology marks a significant step in addressing the fallout from the invasion of Ikeja Electric’s headquarters.
As investigations proceed, all eyes will be on the military’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable while ensuring improved relations with civilian institutions.
Both parties have expressed optimism about resolving the underlying issues amicably, with hopes that such incidents will not recur in the future.
