Military officers invaded our premises destroyed properties over power disconnection – Electricity Distribution Company
Military officers invaded our premises destroyed properties over power disconnection – Electricity Distribution Company
Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has confirmed that its headquarters in Lagos was invaded by personnel from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday morning.
Mr Kingsley Okotie, Head of Corporate Communications for Ikeja Electric, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that the incident followed the disconnection of electricity to a NAF facility due to unpaid bills and operational concerns.
Okotie explained that the disruption took place in the early hours of Thursday when uniformed Air Force officers forcefully entered the premises of the utility company, demanding immediate reconnection to the power grid.
He said that when their demands were not met, the officers resorted to damaging property and causing chaos within the Ikeja Electric office, prompting concerns over the safety and security of the premises.
Okotie clarified that the disconnection was not solely due to financial issues but was also prompted by other operational concerns.
He emphasised that there were significant safety concerns regarding the safety of Ikeja Electric personnel, particularly due to the high level of hostility towards staff members within the Air Force base.
“The disconnection was not just about non-payment. There are operational factors at play, including serious safety concerns for our staff.
“We have faced incidents of harassment, making it increasingly difficult for our staff to work in such conditions,”Okotie explained.
NAN recalls that on March 3, NAF had raised alarms about a prolonged blackout at its Ikeja base, which had been without stable electricity for 12 days in spite of consistent payments to Ikeja Electric.
NAF had warned that the prolonged blackout was exposing sensitive military equipment, including bombs and rockets, to dangerously high temperatures, raising fears of a potential explosion.
“These bombs are not meant to be exposed to extreme heat. The longer this blackout continues, the higher the risk of an explosion,” NAF stated, making reference to the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment bomb blast. (NAN)
The retired DIGs had served the Nigeria Police Force for 35 years before retirement.
The newly decorated DIGs include DIG Sadiq Idiris Abubakar, previously Commandant of the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano; DIG Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo, former AIG of the Department of Information Communication Technology at Force Headquarters Abuja; DIG Williams Adebowale, formerly Commandant of the Police Staff College Jos; DIG Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi Bali, former AIG of the FCID Annex Enugu; DIG Idegwu Basil Ukuoma, previously AIG of Zone 14, Katsina; and DIG Adebola Ayinde Hamzat, former AIG, Zone 16 Yenagoa.
In addition to these DIG appointments, AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu, who previously served as the Commissioner of Police for the Enugu State Command, was also decorated as a newly promoted Assistant Inspector-General of Police.
This was disclosed via a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Thursday, March 6.
The statement reads: “The Nigeria Police Force marked a significant moment in its history with the formal decoration of six newly appointed Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) and one Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., today March 6th 2025. This event follows the recent retirement of six veteran DIGs in March 3rd, 2025, who honorably served the force for 35 years.
“The newly appointed DIGs bring a wealth of experience and expertise from various commands and departments within the NPF. These iconic individuals include DIG Sadiq Idiris Abubakar, previously Commandant of the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano; DIG Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo, former AIG of the Department of Information Communication Technology at Force Headquarters Abuja; DIG Williams Adebowale, formerly Commandant of the Police Staff College Jos; DIG Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi Bali, former AIG of the FCID Annex Enugu; DIG Idegwu Basil Ukuoma, previously AIG of Zone 14, Katsina; and DIG Adebola Ayinde Hamzat, former AIG, Zone 16 Yenagoa.
“In addition to these DIG appointments, AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu, who previously served as the Commissioner of Police for the Enugu State Command, was also decorated as the newly promoted Assistant Inspector-General of Police. During the ceremony, the IGP extended his heartfelt congratulations to the newly decorated officers and emphasized the importance of upholding the values of integrity, professionalism, and service that define the Nigeria Police Force.
“The IGP further charged the officers with inspiring confidence both within the ranks of the Force and among the citizens they are sworn to protect and expressed strong belief in their ability to excel in their new leadership roles and contribute to the continued progress and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.”
News
JUST IN; IG of Police approves appointment of DCP as new Force PSO
JUST IN; IG of Police approves appointment of DCP as new Force PSO
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the appointment of a new Principal Staff Officer (PSO).
He is Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP) Ahmed Lateef.
IGP said DCP Lateef brings to the position a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership in various capacities within the Nigeria Police Force.
According to a statement on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi: “Prior to his current posting, DCP Ahmed served as the Police Operations and FPU Coordinator for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
“He was the Personal Assistant to the former IGP, IGP MD Abubakar, and also a Zonal Head of Operations and lead cybercrime investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), having attended various courses both at home and abroad.
“Consequently, the Inspector-General of Police, following the approval of the Police Service Commission, has deployed CP Johnson Adenola as the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, having served diligently as the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the IGP, contributing significantly to the smooth running of the IGP’s office and the overall administration of the Force.
“CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa has also been deployed as the new CP Enugu State, following the promotion of AIG Uzuegbu Kanayo. CP Mamman once served as the AC PMF FHQ, DC PMF FHQ, and DC Ops Kaduna State Command.
“These strategic deployments are aimed at strengthening the leadership capacity of the Force and ensuring effective policing across the country.
“The IGP has however charged the newly appointed officers to bring forth their wealth of experience in maintaining the core values and ethics of the force in their respective offices, which anchors on decency, transparency, and accountability”
News
BREAKING: EFCC quizzes former Tinubu’s Minister over alleged N138m fraud
BREAKING: EFCC quizzes former Tinubu’s Minister over alleged N138m fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has quizzed a former Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye for her alleged roles in the misappropriation of N138million.
The ex-Minister was one of those dropped recently by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She was alleged to have violated procurement process and diverted public funds of about N138million in the course of disbursing the 2023 budgeted funds for the Ministry.
She arrived in the anti-graft commission headquarters around 11:00 am and was still facing interrogators on her alleged involvement in the fraud as at press time.
Investigations by the EFCC showed that funds donated for the funding of P- Bat Cares for Women Initiative were diverted.
EFCC detectives were considering other clues as part of the ongoing investigation.