The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has urged the Federal Government to use the recent attack on Ikeja Electric by Air Force personnel from Sam Ethan Air Force Base in Lagos as an opportunity to assess the electricity debt of military bases across the country.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, strongly condemned the attack, which left several people injured and caused damage to infrastructure, calling it unacceptable.
NECA has called for an urgent intervention from the Federal Ministries of Finance and Defence to ensure the immediate payment of debts owed to Ikeja Electric and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The attack followed the disconnection of electricity at the Air Force Base due to unpaid bills running into millions of naira. NECA’s Director-General, Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, emphasized that Ikeja Electric, as a private company, has the right to demand payments and suspend services for non-payment.
He warned that such acts of intimidation and impunity set a dangerous precedent for the investment climate in Nigeria, discouraging both domestic and foreign investors.
Minister Adelabu, through his Special Adviser, Bolaji Tunji, stressed the importance of resolving disputes legally and peacefully. He warned against attacks on power infrastructure, highlighting the impact on homes, hospitals, and industries.
He also urged the Nigerian Air Force to uphold professionalism and avoid actions that threaten public infrastructure, while commending Ikeja Electric staff for their resilience.
The minister called for dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts in the power sector, urging Nigerians to reject violence and embrace democratic solutions.
