The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish a new security unit known as the “Power Rangers” to protect Nigeria’s critical electricity infrastructure from the growing threat of vandalism. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday.
The move comes in response to the increasing number of power outages in Nigeria, many of which have been caused by the vandalism of electricity installations. The Minister explained that the government recognized the need for a targeted approach to tackle the issue, rather than relying on a generalized security strategy for all national assets.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the “Power Rangers” unit will be made up of officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). These officers will be specifically tasked with preventing the theft, destruction, and vandalism of power infrastructure across the country.
“This unit is designed to address the particular challenges faced by the power sector. What we had before was a general approach to national assets. But we realized that it’s not enough to treat all sectors the same way,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He compared the new approach to a medical diagnosis, noting that “you cannot have one specific medication that can treat all illnesses.” Instead, each sector, including power, water, education, and health, must be treated individually, with specialized security solutions tailored to their unique needs.
The decision to create the “Power Rangers” security unit was inspired by the success of another similar initiative. Earlier this year, the government introduced the “Mines Marshalls,” a specialized security force to protect the mining sector from illegal activities and theft. Tunji-Ojo noted that this approach had proven effective, which is why it was being extended to the power sector.
In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a troubling rise in the vandalism of electricity infrastructure. These criminal activities have caused significant damage to power plants, transformers, and transmission lines, leading to frequent power cuts and disrupted services for millions of Nigerians.
The impact of these attacks on the power sector is far-reaching. Frequent power outages disrupt businesses, hamper economic growth, and affect the daily lives of citizens. According to a report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the country’s electricity grid loses billions of naira annually due to these acts of sabotage.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted that the creation of the “Power Rangers” security unit was essential to curbing these attacks and ensuring the protection of power infrastructure. He also stated that the unit would help to safeguard the investments being made in the power sector and promote the overall stability of the country’s electricity supply.
While the creation of the “Power Rangers” unit has been confirmed, the minister clarified that the official launch date had not yet been set. However, he assured Nigerians that the groundwork was already in progress.
“We’ve already agreed on the modus operandi, and as I speak to you, the offices are being screened,” Tunji-Ojo said. The minister further explained that the selection process for the officers was underway, with a focus on ensuring that only the most qualified personnel were chosen for the new unit.
“The officers will be stationed in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ensure nationwide coverage,” he added. “There is no state without a power infrastructure. Just like the solid mineral sector, power is critical to every part of the country.”
The recruitment and onboarding process for the officers will involve profiling and screening candidates based on various criteria. Tunji-Ojo explained that the government would assess the officers’ capacity, competence, area of specialization, and even their physical strength, to ensure they were well-equipped for the challenges they would face.
The establishment of the “Power Rangers” security unit underscores the growing security concerns surrounding Nigeria’s electricity sector. In recent months, incidents of vandalism have caused widespread blackouts, which have further exposed the vulnerabilities in the country’s power infrastructure.
In some cases, criminals have stolen cables, transformers, and other equipment, leaving entire communities without power for weeks or even months. These disruptions have had a devastating impact on businesses, particularly in industrial zones that rely heavily on electricity for operations.
The introduction of the “Power Rangers” unit is seen as a significant step forward in improving the protection of Nigeria’s energy infrastructure. The unit will be tasked with patrolling power plants, transmission lines, and substations, as well as responding swiftly to any incidents of vandalism or theft.
The government’s plan to establish a specialized security force for the power sector has been welcomed by stakeholders in the energy industry, who believe it will help to reduce the financial and operational impact of vandalism.
