Lagos witnessed a shocking scene as no fewer than 12 personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) from the Logistics Command, Ikeja, stormed the headquarters and Oshodi Business Unit of Ikeja Electric (IE) in an aggressive, commando-style invasion. Their mission? To protest the disconnection of electricity supply to their base, which had been plunged into darkness for two weeks due to an outstanding debt of over N4 billion.
A Brutal Takeover
Eyewitnesses recounted how the uniformed men wreaked havoc, attacking employees, destroying office equipment, and even confiscating personal belongings such as phones, laptops, and vehicles. At least 15 IE staff members, including the Commercial Manager of the Oshodi Business Unit, were battered and forcefully taken away by the enraged military men.
According to sources, the Air Force personnel stormed the Ikeja Electric offices twice on the fateful day. During their first raid, they shattered glass windows from the third to the fifth floor and seized several staff members. Despite an intervention by a senior officer from the Nigerian Army’s 9 Brigade, the Air Force personnel returned after his departure to continue their rampage.
The Electricity Dispute
The dispute stemmed from a prolonged blackout at the Air Force base after IE cut off power due to the N4 billion accumulated debt. The base had earlier warned about the dire consequences of the blackout, including risks to patients at its reference hospital and the dangerous exposure of highly flammable jet fuel to rising temperatures.
Despite interventions by the Lagos State government urging the power company to reconnect the base, the company held firm, demanding settlement of the massive outstanding debt. The Air Force allegedly responded with force rather than negotiation.
Shocking Statements from Ikeja Electric
Kingsley Okotie, Head of Corporate Communications at IE, condemned the attack, stating, “In my entire life, I have never seen anything like this. Armed men from the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base stormed our offices, beat us up, carted away our laptops, and vandalized our corporate headquarters and Oshodi business unit—all because of electricity bills.”
He further explained that the Air Force had enjoyed electricity for years without payment, adding, “We don’t receive government subventions. We are a privatized entity. The inefficiencies in our power sector are worsened by institutions like the Air Force, who refuse to pay their bills but feel entitled to free electricity.”
NAF Promises Investigation
Reacting to the invasion, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun, described the incident as unfortunate, promising an investigation and sanctions for those involved.
“We always ensure our men are under control. We will track those responsible and take necessary action,” he assured, while also affirming that the Air Force remains committed to protecting citizens, not harming them.
Outrage and Call for Justice
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) condemned the attack as an act of gangsterism. Acting General Secretary Dominic Igwebike warned, “Our members cannot work under intimidation and brutality. Until their safety is guaranteed, we will withdraw our services nationwide.”
Meanwhile, industry stakeholders, including Adetayo Adegbemle of PowerUp Nigeria and the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), have called for legal action against the Air Force, insisting that no entity is above the law.
A Dangerous Warning
The Nigerian Air Force had previously raised concerns about the blackout, warning that prolonged power outages were exposing sensitive military equipment, including bombs and rockets, to extreme temperatures. This echoed fears of a repeat of the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment bomb blast, a tragedy that remains fresh in the minds of Lagosians.
While the situation remains tense, one thing is clear—this is not just about electricity. It’s about accountability, the rule of law, and ensuring that no institution, military or otherwise, resorts to violence as a means of settling disputes.
