Personnel of the Nigerian Military have invaded the offices of electricity distribution company Ikeja Electric in Lagos State.
The headquarters of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) near Government House, Alausa, Ikeja, was invaded by armed men in military uniform invaded the company opposite at about 7:40 am on Thursday.
As of the time of filing this report, staff and other persons found in the office were being beaten by the armed men.
Police have intervened but the armed soldiers led by a woman refused to bulge.
Elsewhere in the state, it was gathered that the personnel in uniform forced their way into the Ikeja Electric office on Ago Palace Way, Okota, Isolo, Lagos.
Videos obtained by our correspondent 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, forcing them to undergo the treatment.
Reports on Wednesday incated that Ikeja Electric disconnected the power supply to the Nigerian Air Force logistics base in Ikeja.
The incident has instilled fear among 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 have been unreachable.
He said: “I’ve been trying to reach our managers. Their numbers have been unreachable, and most likely, they have been attacked by the military guys.
“This is unheard of, unlawful, and disgraceful—that the military can invade the offices of companies in a civil society.”
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. Sources confirmed that the base had consistently kept to its part of the bargain.
According to a source, his particular concern is 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.
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Source: NewsExpress
