The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has issued a formal apology to Ikeja Electric after a disturbing invasion of the company’s headquarters by troops attached to its Logistics Command in Lagos. The attack, which left staff members bruised and company assets damaged, has sparked significant concern about the relationship between the military and civilian institutions.
The apology was delivered during a joint press briefing at Ikeja Electric’s office, where the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Adeniran Kolade Ademuwagun, condemned the actions of the soldiers and promised that those responsible would face disciplinary action. AVM Ademuwagun described the invasion as “unfortunate” and emphasized the NAF’s commitment to maintaining strict discipline among its personnel.
“We will investigate what happened and impose appropriate sanctions,” he said, adding that the Nigerian Air Force is dedicated to the safety of citizens. He reassured Ikeja Electric that it should continue to operate without fear of further disturbances. AVM Ademuwagun also stressed the importance of the NAF’s relationship with civilian institutions and vowed to take decisive steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The military leader made it clear that the Air Force values its integrity and professionalism and any actions that undermine that would not be tolerated. He further reiterated that the primary responsibility of the military is to protect the people of Nigeria, not intimidate them.
Ikeja Electric, which serves millions of customers in Lagos and surrounding areas, was visibly shaken by the invasion. At least ten staff members were physically assaulted, and several office assets were either vandalized or stolen. The company’s chairman, Kola Adesina, who was present at the briefing, expressed his disappointment over the attack, calling it “unwarranted and distressing.”
“About 200 staff were on-site when the incident occurred. Reports confirmed that ten individuals were brutalized, and several office assets were destroyed or removed,” Adesina said. “It was a terrible experience for our staff, and it disrupted our operations significantly. We are grateful that the leadership of the Air Force has responded swiftly, and we believe that justice will be served.”
The incident is believed to be linked to an ongoing debt dispute between Ikeja Electric and the Nigerian Air Force. According to Adesina, the Air Force owes the company over N4 billion for electricity services, and while some payments have been made, the process has been slow. Despite the financial difficulties posed by the outstanding debt, Ikeja Electric has continued to provide power to the Air Force and other essential institutions without interruption.
“We recognize the importance of the Air Force and its role in national security,” Adesina said. “However, electricity services must be paid for, as we also have obligations to meet. We cannot continue to provide services if these debts are not cleared.”
Adesina further revealed that Ikeja Electric had made efforts to engage with the Air Force to resolve the issue. Recently, company officials visited an Air Force base to learn about the power supply challenges facing the military facility. They were briefed on the critical state of the infrastructure and the need for a reliable electricity supply.
“We were not only briefed on the unfortunate situation but also shown the critical state of their infrastructure. It was made clear why it is important for them to have a stable electricity supply,” he explained. “While Ikeja Electric is willing to collaborate with the military on power solutions, the outstanding debts must be addressed to ensure that service delivery continues without disruptions.”
The invasion has raised serious concerns about the relationship between the military and civilian organizations. Security experts warn that such altercations could erode public trust in the military and create unnecessary tensions between government agencies and private companies.
“It is important for military authorities to ensure their personnel adhere to professional standards in all engagements with civilians,” said a security analyst, who asked not to be named. “Any act of violence or intimidation is damaging not only to the individuals involved but also to the image of the armed forces as a whole.”
In the wake of the incident, some stakeholders in the electricity sector have called on the government to intervene and settle outstanding debts owed by military institutions to prevent future conflicts. These debts, they argue, have created unnecessary tension between electricity service providers and military establishments.
Despite the troubling incident, Ikeja Electric has assured its customers that its operations remain unaffected. The company has pledged to continue working on enhancing service delivery across its coverage areas and promised that it will not allow the invasion to disrupt its commitment to providing reliable electricity to its customers.
As the Nigerian Air Force continues its investigation, all eyes are on the military’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable. The apology from the NAF is seen as a step in the right direction, but the public and stakeholders are waiting for concrete actions that will address both the immediate concerns and the underlying issues.
Both Ikeja Electric and the Nigerian Air Force have expressed optimism that the situation will be resolved amicably, with hopes that similar incidents will not happen again in the future. With investigations underway, it is expected that the Nigerian Air Force will take the necessary steps to ensure that its personnel act professionally and that relations between the military and civilian institutions improve.
As the dust settles, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining respect and understanding between government institutions and private organizations in Nigeria. The safety of civilians and the smooth operation of essential services must always be a top priority for all involved.
