An enforcement operation by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) Plc at the Dawaki Police Quarters in the Federal Capital Territory turned violent on Friday after members of the company's team were allegedly attacked while carrying out a crackdown on suspected electricity theft.
The exercise, which involved AEDC's revenue protection personnel and security operatives, followed intelligence reports alleging widespread meter bypass and illegal electricity connections within the estate.
Sources said the team visited the estate to disconnect illegal power connections and restore affected premises to approved metering configurations after months of public sensitisation and repeated warnings against electricity theft.
During the operation, the officials reportedly detected more than 15 residential buildings with bypassed electricity meters. They also allegedly found that electricity supplied to the estate's security gate was connected through an unauthorised bypass.
However, the enforcement exercise was disrupted when some residents allegedly confronted the officials, leading to a violent altercation.
According to eyewitnesses, several members of the AEDC team sustained injuries during the attack, while mobile phones belonging to some officials were allegedly seized and digital evidence, including photographs and videos, deleted.
The injured personnel were later taken for medical treatment, while the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area before the officials were able to leave the estate.
Condemning the incident, AEDC described the attack as unacceptable and warned that assaults on utility workers threaten efforts to combat electricity theft and improve power supply.
The company's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye, said AEDC would not be deterred from carrying out its responsibility of protecting the integrity of the electricity distribution network.
He called on customers to cooperate with authorised enforcement teams, stressing that electricity theft remains a criminal offence with serious consequences for public safety and the power sector.
According to him, illegal electricity connections expose communities to electrical hazards, damage distribution infrastructure and contribute to revenue losses that ultimately affect service delivery to customers who pay for electricity.
AEDC also reaffirmed its commitment to working with security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attack in accordance with the law.
The incident comes amid intensified efforts by electricity distribution companies nationwide to tackle meter bypass, energy theft and vandalism, practices widely blamed for significant financial losses and declining operational efficiency within Nigeria's electricity industry.
Industry stakeholders have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of electricity laws and stronger protection for utility workers, citing a growing number of attacks on personnel carrying out lawful enforcement operations.
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