AEDC Officials Attacked During Anti-Power Theft Enforcement in Abuja Estate

Officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) Plc were reportedly attacked and injured during an enforcement operation against alleged electricity theft at the Dawaki Police Quarters in the Federal Capital Territory.

The incident occurred on Friday during a joint operation involving AEDC’s revenue protection team and security personnel following reports of widespread meter bypass and other illegal electricity connections within the estate.

According to information obtained by journalists, the team was carrying out an enforcement exercise aimed at disconnecting illegal power connections and restoring affected installations to approved metering arrangements after several months of customer sensitisation and warnings against electricity theft.

During the operation, the officials allegedly uncovered more than 15 residential buildings with bypassed electricity meters. They also reportedly discovered that the electricity supply serving the estate’s security gate had been connected through an unauthorised bypass.

The situation, however, escalated when some residents allegedly resisted the exercise and prevented members of the enforcement team from leaving the premises.

Sources said several AEDC officials sustained injuries during the confrontation, while mobile phones belonging to some of the personnel were allegedly confiscated and photographs and video evidence gathered during the operation deleted.

Although no lives were lost, the injured officials were said to have received medical attention, while the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area before the team eventually left the estate.

Reacting to the development, AEDC condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on employees carrying out legitimate duties in the interest of the electricity sector.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AEDC, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye, said the company would remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of its electricity distribution network despite the incident.

He stressed that attacks on utility workers undermine efforts to curb electricity theft and improve power supply, urging customers to cooperate with authorised enforcement personnel during official operations.

Okwuokenye also warned against electricity theft, noting that illegal connections are criminal offences that endanger lives, damage electricity infrastructure and increase commercial losses, ultimately affecting service delivery to law-abiding customers.

The company said it would continue working with security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the attack are identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The incident comes as electricity distribution companies across the country intensify enforcement against meter bypass, illegal connections and vandalism, which industry stakeholders say continue to undermine the financial viability of Nigeria’s power sector.

Industry observers have also expressed concern over the increasing number of attacks on electricity workers performing official duties, with renewed calls for stronger legal protection for utility personnel and stricter penalties for offenders involved in electricity theft and related offences.