The headquarters of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company has been invaded by military men.
The armed men in military uniform invaded the company in Ikeja, Lagos, at about 7:40 am on Thursday, March 6.
The military personnel in uniform are also said to have forced their way into the Ikeja Electric office on Ago Palace Way, Okota, Isolo, Lagos.
The military personnel allegedly gathered staff and other persons found in the office in Ikeja and beat them, Punch reports.
Videos seen by The Guardian showed military personnel wielding arms and effectively crippling operations in the electricity distribution company.
More than seven staff members were seen kneeling while the military personnel assaulted others, according to Guardian.
On Wednesday, March 5, Ikeja Electric disconnected the power supply to the Nigerian Air Force logistics base in Ikeja.
The incident has instilled fear among electricity company staff, with many hiding for safety.
A staff member, who spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity over fears for his life, said they had decided to boycott their offices as many colleagues who resumed work on Thursday, March 6, have been unreachable.
There has been growing tension between Ikeja Electric and the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, over the disconnection of power supply, which many fear may escalate if not addressed.
The Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, has been without power for two weeks following its disconnection by Ikeja Electric over an unpaid debt running into millions of naira.
Sources told The Guardian that there was an agreement for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to pay a monthly sum of ₦60 million to ensure a daily electricity supply of 10 to 12 hours to the base.
However, the prolonged power outage was compromising the base’s safety and security, particularly the operational warehouse housing high-caliber armaments, which are reportedly at risk due to rising temperatures caused by the failure of the cooling systems.
Sources within Ikeja Electric said NAF had not fulfilled the agreement to pay the debt for the distribution company to restore power to the base.
The offices of Ikeja Electric had yet to resume operations at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, Nigerians, including media personality Rufai Oseni, have gone on X to condemn the military’s invasion of the electricity distribution company.
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