The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has called on the Nigerian Air Force, the military, and the presidency to identify and hold accountable the officers and men of the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, who attacked staff and journalists at Ikeja Electric (IKEDC) on Thursday.
The association vowed not to relent until justice is served for everyone brutalized during the invasion of IKEDC’s headquarters in Alausa, Lagos. The incident saw armed military personnel storm the premises, assaulting staff and journalists, including a correspondent who was among the victims.
Following the attack, the Area Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshall AK Ademulegun, visited the IKEDC office and promised to investigate the incident. However, ANED’s Executive Director of Research and Advocacy, Sunday Oduntan, dismissed Ademulegun’s response, stating that the military could not feign ignorance of the attack.
In an interview on TVC on Friday, Oduntan, who also serves as the spokesperson for all Distribution Companies (DisCos), emphasized that the association would pursue justice relentlessly. He revealed that the Ikeja Air Force Base owes IKEDC N4.3 billion in unpaid electricity bills, with no efforts made to settle the debt.
“I want to believe that we’re in a sane country. I still want to believe that we’re better than we were in 1978 when Fela’s house was invaded. So, we want to see what will happen. We have to see what the presidency will do, and the military authorities too, because normally, heads must roll; not should roll, heads must roll,” Oduntan declared.
He described the invasion as a traumatic experience, likening it to a coup against all DisCos.
“What the Air Force from Ikeja did to us yesterday was an indication that they can do a lot of things to all of you. This is how people easily plan and execute a coup,” he said.
Oduntan called on the nation’s political leaders to address the issue with the seriousness it deserves, warning that failure to hold the perpetrators accountable could embolden further abuses. “Unless these people are brought out, and we receive justice, I can assure you that they will do it again, and they will do it in a larger proportion,” he stated.
He also demanded the return of the database and other items taken during the invasion, noting that the military personnel had attempted to avoid identification by disabling CCTV cameras. “They didn’t want us to see their faces from the CCTV, so they took the database away. There must be full restoration,” Oduntan insisted.
The association’s demands highlight growing concerns over the safety of civilians and the need for accountability within the military. ANED has urged the presidency and military authorities to take swift and transparent action to address the incident and prevent future occurrences.
