- The Nigerian Air Force Base was disconnected from power due to alleged unpaid bills by the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC)
- Military personnel protested at IKEDC’s office, accusing the utility of failing to provide adequate power despite payments
- IKEDC claimed technical issues at the Air Force Base, and access denial for necessary installations to improve power
Tensions between the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and the Nigerian Air Force Base in Ikeja escalated after a power disconnection led to a military protest at the IKEDC headquarters.
On Thursday morning, March 6, military personnel arrived at the IKEDC office, located opposite MITV in Ikeja, Lagos, at around 7:40 a.m.
Military personnel protest power disconnection at Air Force base
The officers, dressed in full military uniforms, protested the disconnection of power to the Air Force Base, which had been cut off due to unpaid bills.
Sources revealed that the Air Force had an agreement with IKEDC to pay N60 million per month in exchange for 10 to 12 hours of power supply each day. Despite consistent payments, the base reportedly suffered frequent blackouts.
A reliable source earlier explained that the prolonged outages had compromised the base’s safety and security, especially the operational warehouse that houses high-calibre armaments. Rising temperatures caused by the lack of power had endangered the safety of these weapons.
"The Ikeja (TA Lagbaja) Cantonment bomb blast of 2002 is still fresh in our minds. A repeat of such disaster will not be palatable to Ikeja environs and Lagos State," the source said.
"The base runs essential services such as medical services and water supply to the base community. These services have been significantly disrupted."
The source also mentioned that the Air Force had paid excess amounts, including N60 million in November, but had received no accounting for the balance. Similar discrepancies were reported for December.
"NAF Base had sufficiently kept to its side of the agreement in making payments but had recently been shortchanged regarding power supply without any justifiable reason," the source noted.
"From our investigation, there is no damage or destruction of the distribution channel leading to the Air Force Base. Blatant acts of withholding power are considered unprofessional and unpatriotic with dire consequences for national security."
The source emphasised that the power supply was a necessity for military personnel. "Consequently, frontline personnel are traumatised due to complaints of untold hardship suffered by their families back in the base due to the deliberate denial of power supply," the source said.
The anonymous source condemned IKEDC’s actions, labelling them as incitement that could have serious repercussions for the peace of the state. "Ikeja Electric is a service-oriented organisation with an expected high level of responsibility to the public. Unfortunately, the conduct of the organisation falls short of what is expected of a service provider with a national interest."
IKEDC says disconnection was due to technical reasons
The source urged IKEDC to restore power to the Air Force Base within 48 hours.
In response, IKEDC's Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Okotie, stated that the base was only paying for the power supplied under a Band-A feeder. Okotie explained that despite the payments, there was a significant outstanding debt to IKEDC, and the disconnection was not solely due to financial reasons.
"However, technically, they are disconnected, and the reason is not primarily financial but due to other factors," he said. "Certain installations are required within the facility to improve the energy supply, and the base leadership is aware of this after multiple engagements."
Okotie also pointed out that IKEDC had been denied access to the base to carry out the necessary improvements. "We can only carry out these improvements and installations to enhance the situation if we are granted access to the base," he said. "Right now, they are not allowing us to access the facility to resolve whatever issues they are facing."
He further noted that IKEDC had faced hostility from military personnel in the past, including staff harassment, and was reluctant to continue with such incidents. "While we are willing and fully available to address the needs of all our customers, we do not want such incidents to continue."
Okotie emphasised that all military barracks under IKEDC's jurisdiction in Lagos had implemented the required installations to improve energy management, and questioned why the Air Force Base should be an exception. "Energy consumed must be paid for, and no one is being charged for what they have not used," he said.
He urged the Air Force authorities to allow for a dialogue to resolve the matter. "Proper installations and isolations must be implemented to ensure all parties are adequately protected. If there is no access and opportunity to do so, then we cannot make any progress," Okotie concluded.
Nigeria faces blackout as national grid collapses again
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Nigeria experienced its second national grid collapse in 2025, leading to widespread blackouts.
Electricity generation fell from 4,064MW to 1,203MW and completely crashed to 0.00MW.