Air Force Personnel Attack Ikeja Electric15 Ikeja DisCo Staff Hospitalized After Air Force Personnel Storm Office Over N4 Billion Unpaid Debt, Employees Flee Amid Fear as Operations Grind to a Halt, NECA Condemns Attack, Calls for Urgent Government Intervention Over N4 Billion Debt, Staff Hospitalized
Lagos, Nigeria – Tensions escalated last Thursday as personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) from the Sam Ethan Air Force Base allegedly attacked the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (Ikeja DisCo) following a power disconnection due to unpaid electricity bills amounting to N4 billion. The violent confrontation left at least 15 staff members injured and hospitalized while the company’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, remained largely deserted in the aftermath.
Attack and Aftermath
Eyewitnesses described the attack as a harrowing ordeal, with NAF personnel storming the office, ransacking floors, and confiscating work tools, including laptops, phones, and installation equipment. Employees at the scene recounted moments of fear and chaos, with many sustaining physical injuries such as bruises and sprains. Some of the injured staff members remain in undisclosed hospitals receiving treatment.
A senior official of Ikeja DisCo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that many employees are still traumatized. “As of yesterday, over 15 of our personnel were undergoing treatment. The office is not fully operational, and staff have been advised to stay away if they feel unsafe,” he said.
Meanwhile, power supply to the Air Force base had not been restored as of 9 a.m. yesterday, despite assurances from Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun, who visited the scene and promised the safety of Ikeja DisCo staff.
Seven-Year Debt Dispute
Ikeja DisCo Chairman, Kola Adesina, revealed that the Air Force has failed to settle its N4 billion electricity debt for over seven years, despite repeated discussions and demands for payment.
“We are being owed a significant sum, about N4 billion. We’ve been engaging in discussions for seven years, but the money has not been forthcoming. As a distribution company, we are responsible for collecting and remitting payments for the entire power value chain, including gas suppliers and the Transmission Company of Nigeria. This unpaid debt has placed a huge financial strain on our operations,” Adesina said.
Documents reviewed by NEWS REVIEW confirm a series of correspondences between Ikeja DisCo and the Air Force, none of which resulted in payment.
NECA Condemns Attack, Calls for Government Intervention
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has strongly condemned the attack, warning that such actions could damage Nigeria’s democratic stability and deter foreign investment. In a statement by its Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, NECA urged the federal government to take immediate action.
“This attack is unlawful and sets a dangerous precedent. It signals impunity and disregard for democratic governance. No investor would want to commit resources to a country where businesses can be attacked without consequence,” Oyerinde stated.
NECA called on the federal government to establish a committee to assess the electricity debt profiles of all military bases in the country and ensure the prompt settlement of outstanding payments to prevent similar conflicts in the future.
Employees Speak Out
Many employees remain shaken by the attack, fearing for their safety. Some have chosen not to return to work until security is assured. One employee, who spoke anonymously, recounted her traumatic experience.
“I work on the second floor, and when they stormed in, I thought we were under attack by armed robbers. I fell and bruised my knee in the panic. Some of my colleagues sprained their ankles. I still can’t comprehend how Air Force personnel could invade a private company like this,” she said.
The company’s Public Relations Officer, Kingsley Okotie, also confirmed that several employees, including himself, were nursing injuries. “I sprained my ankle while trying to escape. Many colleagues are still receiving medical care. The office is scanty because people are scared. What assurance do we have that they won’t return?” Okotie questioned.
Lingering Uncertainty
The headquarters of Ikeja DisCo, once a busy hub of activity, remains eerily quiet as staff members stay away from work due to safety concerns. With the Air Force base still disconnected from the power grid, tensions remain high as employees demand justice and assurance of security before returning to work.
The federal government is yet to respond to the attack, but industry stakeholders warn that failure to address the incident could have serious economic and diplomatic implications.
What’s Next?
As the crisis unfolds, all eyes are on the Nigerian government to intervene and resolve the lingering debt dispute while ensuring that such acts of violence against private businesses do not repeat in the future. For now, Ikeja DisCo remains in a state of caution, with operations disrupted and employees fearing for their safety.
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