In the early hours of March 14, 2025, Nigerian military personnel allegedly attacked electricity distribution workers in Badagry, Lagos State, for the second time in recent months, sparking concerns over the safety of workers in the power sector. The soldiers, reportedly from the 15th Field Engineers Regiment of the Nigerian Army, stormed the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko Disco) Badagry Injection Substation, where they abducted two staff members in what is being described as a violent dispute over power supply issues.
According to Sunday Oduntan, the Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), the soldiers took the two workers, a Distribution System Operator (DSO) and a Proton Security Officer, to their barracks. There, the workers were allegedly beaten before being released around 4 a.m. the same morning.
Oduntan explained that the soldiers claimed they were frustrated by poor electricity supply to their barracks for the past week. Despite repeated attempts to restore power, the soldiers argued that the situation had not improved, leading to the violent encounter. Oduntan noted that the Commanding Officer of the military unit, Lt. Col. S. Lawan, had already been informed about ongoing upgrades being carried out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Agbara, an area near Badagry. These upgrades were impacting the power supply, with efforts to restore power repeatedly disrupted by a tripped feeder due to excess load.
“The soldiers were fully aware of the situation, but they still chose to take matters into their own hands, targeting electricity workers who were already struggling with a difficult situation,” Oduntan said.
This incident is the second of its kind in recent months, following a similar attack in December 2024 when personnel from the Nigerian Air Force Base in Ikeja, Lagos, allegedly assaulted Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (Ikeja Electric) workers. The workers were reportedly targeted after their efforts to disconnect power supply to the base, which had accumulated unpaid bills, led to a violent outburst. The attack involved the vandalization of Ikeja Electric’s head office and the brutalization of its staff.
The repeated military interference in electricity distribution has raised significant concerns among industry stakeholders. Many are now calling on the Nigerian government to take swift action to prevent further attacks on power sector workers and to ensure that the safety of workers is prioritized.
In a statement following the Badagry incident, ANED condemned the attack and called for stronger measures to safeguard workers in the electricity sector. The organization also urged the military to respect the law and engage in peaceful dialogue with electricity distribution companies to address any grievances.
“The continued targeting of electricity workers by military personnel is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately,” Oduntan said. “We call on the government to take urgent steps to protect the men and women working to ensure Nigerians have access to electricity. This kind of violence is not only dangerous but undermines the efforts of those working tirelessly to improve power supply in the country.”
The power sector in Nigeria has long struggled with numerous challenges, including unreliable electricity supply, poor infrastructure, and inadequate funding. The latest incidents, however, highlight the growing tensions between the military and the power sector, raising questions about the role of the armed forces in matters related to the provision of public services.
Despite efforts by the Nigerian government to improve the electricity sector, the country still faces major power supply challenges. The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has been undergoing a series of reforms in recent years, including privatization of power distribution companies and infrastructure upgrades. However, these reforms have been slow to bear fruit, and many Nigerians continue to face power outages and poor service quality.
The situation in Badagry, as well as the earlier incident in Ikeja, sheds light on the frustrations many Nigerians face with the electricity sector. These frustrations appear to have boiled over in both instances, with military personnel choosing to resolve their issues through violence rather than communication and cooperation.
For the government, the latest incident presents a difficult challenge. While the military is often called upon to maintain law and order, their involvement in civil disputes, particularly in the context of power supply, raises concerns about the militarization of the country’s public service sectors. The violence against workers is not only a violation of their rights but also undermines the efforts of both the government and the private companies trying to improve electricity provision.
The Nigerian Army has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the allegations. However, the continued silence from military authorities has added to the frustration of many Nigerians who are calling for accountability. The incident in Badagry comes just months after a similar one in Lagos, and many are questioning whether this pattern of violent clashes between the military and power sector workers will become a new norm unless the government takes stronger action.
It is essential that the government addresses these incidents swiftly to prevent further violence and to restore confidence in the electricity distribution system. If the government fails to act decisively, there is a real risk that military personnel may continue to escalate their involvement in matters that should be handled by civilian institutions. Industry experts agree that while the Nigerian military plays an important role in the security of the country, there must be clear boundaries between the armed forces and the day-to-day operations of public services like electricity distribution.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are anxiously waiting for the Nigerian government to take a firm stance and issue a clear message that violence, in any form, will not be tolerated.
The attack in Badagry serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity sector and the urgent need for reforms, not only in infrastructure and management but also in the protection of workers who risk their lives to keep the lights on for millions of Nigerians. The hope is that such incidents will not become commonplace, and that the necessary steps will be taken to ensure the safety and security of all workers in the sector moving forward.
