WATCH THE VIDEO HERE The Ikeja Electric (IE) headquarters and its business unit in Lagos were reportedly attacked and vandalized by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) following the disconnection of power to a NAF facility due to unpaid electricity bills and alleged electricity theft. According to eyewitness accounts, the attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday when uniformed Air Force officers stormed the premises, demanding an immediate reconnection to the power grid. When their demands were not met, they resorted to forceful entry, damaging property, and causing chaos within the Ikeja Electric premises. During the incident at the IE headquarters in Alausa, the rampaging officers allegedly searched for the Chief Executive Officer of Ikeja Electric, Mrs. Folake Soetan. Eyewitness reports indicate that when they located her, she was physically assaulted and forcefully taken away in a vehicle. The extent of her injuries remains unclear as of the time of filing this report, but sources suggest that she was released later after interventions from security operatives. In response to allegations of disconnection of power to the NAF base, IKEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Kingsley Okotie, earlier clarified the circumstances surrounding the disconnection of power to the Nigerian Air Force base. He explained that the disconnection was not solely due to non-payment but also because of other operational concerns, including safety issues for IKEDC personnel. “Technically, they are disconnected, and the reason is not primarily financial but due to other factors,” Okotie stated. “The level of hostility within the barracks towards our staff is high. We have had unpleasant incidents, including cases of harassment. We cannot work under such conditions,” he added. Power Disconnection and Unpaid Bills Investigations revealed that the dispute originated from the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) disconnecting power supply to the Nigerian Air Force base in Lagos due to outstanding electricity debts. IKEDC, NAF decline comment Efforts to reach the CEO of Ikeja Electric, Mrs. Folake Soetan, for her confirmation of the incident were unsuccessful, as she neither picked up calls nor responded to messages at press time. Also, efforts to reach Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, the NAF spokesperson for reactions proved abortive.
Air force officers storm Ikeja Electric Head office, allegedly attack staff over power disconnection
