Soldiers Invade Ikeja Electric Office Over Power Disconnection

Personnel of the Nigerian military have invaded the offices of Ikeja Electric in Lagos State, assaulting staff members and disrupting operations.

The incident, which took place at the electricity distribution company’s office on Ago Palace Way, Okota, Isolo, Lagos, was captured in videos obtained by LEADERSHIP, showing uniformed military personnel wielding arms and forcing employees to kneel while assaulting others.

Sources further confirmed that a similar invasion occurred at Ikeja Electric’s head office in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital.

The invasion came amid growing tensions between Ikeja Electric and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) over the disconnection of power supply to the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja.

A national newspaper on Wednesday reported that the base had been without electricity for two weeks after Ikeja Electric cut off supply due to unpaid debts amounting to millions of naira.

Sources told LEADERSHIP that an agreement had been in place for the NAF to pay ₦60 million monthly to guarantee 10 to 12 hours of electricity supply daily.

However, some military officials claimed the power outage was compromising the base’s security, particularly affecting an operational warehouse storing high-caliber armaments.

Despite this, sources within Ikeja Electric insisted that the Air Force failed to meet its financial obligations, leading to the disconnection.
The attack has instilled fear among Ikeja Electric employees, with many reportedly in hiding. Some workers have also refused to resume duty, fearing further aggression.

“I’ve been trying to reach our managers. Their numbers have been unreachable, and most likely, they have been attacked by the military guys,” a staff member said.

“This is unheard of, unlawful, and disgraceful—that the military can invade the offices of companies in a civil society.”

As of the time of filing this report, Ikeja Electric offices remain shut, with no official response from the Nigerian Air Force regarding the allegations.