In a disturbing escalation of military interference in Nigeria’s electricity sector, soldiers from the Nigerian Army’s 15th Field Engineers Regiment in Badagry have been accused of abducting two electricity distribution workers during a power supply dispute.
This marks the second such incident in recent months, further raising alarm over the safety of power sector personnel.
The latest incident took place in the early hours of March 14, 2025, when armed soldiers reportedly stormed the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko Disco) Badagry Injection Substation.
The soldiers allegedly abducted two staff members—one a Distribution System Operator (DSO) and the other a Proton Security Officer—taking them to the army barracks in Topo Town.
Sunday Oduntan, Managing Director of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), revealed that the workers were subjected to physical abuse during their captivity.
According to Oduntan, the soldiers were reportedly upset over a week-long power supply issue affecting their barracks, which they blamed on the electricity distribution company.
Despite prior communication with the military’s Commanding Officer, Lt Col S. Lawan, about ongoing upgrades to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) facilities in Agbara, the soldiers reportedly claimed the situation had not been addressed.
“Power restoration efforts were made, but the feeder tripped due to excess load,” Oduntan explained, emphasizing that the technical challenges were beyond the control of the electricity workers.
The abducted employees were released hours later, at around 4 a.m., but the physical and emotional toll of the incident remains a concern.
This incident follows a similar attack in December 2024, when personnel from the Nigerian Air Force Base in Ikeja, Lagos, allegedly assaulted workers from the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (Ikeja Electric).
The altercation was reportedly sparked by the disconnection of power to the base. The attackers vandalized Ikeja Electric’s headquarters and brutally beat the utility staff members involved.
The two incidents highlight a growing trend of military personnel taking matters into their own hands when disputes over power supply arise.
Both attacks have raised significant concerns among electricity distribution companies, government officials, and other stakeholders in the energy sector, all of whom are calling for immediate intervention to prevent further violence.
Industry experts argue that such actions undermine the delicate balance required for efficient power distribution and restoration, potentially damaging the relationship between the military and the companies tasked with providing essential services.
Additionally, the constant threat of violence against workers could deter potential employees from entering the sector, worsening the already precarious state of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.
Given the urgency of these developments, calls for government action to protect electricity workers have grown louder. There are increasing demands for the military to refrain from using force to resolve service issues, and for law enforcement to hold those responsible for these attacks accountable.
With Nigeria’s power sector already grappling with chronic supply shortages and inadequate infrastructure, these recent events have added another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
As the country seeks to address these challenges, the safety and security of power sector workers must be prioritized to ensure that essential services continue uninterrupted.
