The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has called on the Nigerian Air Force, military authorities, and the presidency to identify and hold accountable the officers and personnel from Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, who attacked staff and journalists at Ikeja Electric on Thursday.
In a statement, Sunday Oduntan, the Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at ANED, expressed the association's unwavering determination to seek justice for those brutalized by the military personnel during the incident at Ikeja Electric's headquarters in Alausa, Lagos. Oduntan, who is also the spokesperson for all the Distribution Companies (DisCos), emphasized that the association will not rest until justice is served to all victims of the attack.
The Attack and Aftermath
The military officers invaded the IKEDC office, where they reportedly assaulted civilians, including journalists. According to Oduntan, over a hundred people were forced to lie on the floor at the Air Force Base, enduring repeated beatings. The Area Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshall AK Ademulegun, visited the site later that day, offering promises of an investigation, but Oduntan is skeptical, stating that Ademulegun cannot claim ignorance of the attack.
Speaking on TVC on Friday, Oduntan likened the attack to a "coup" against the DisCos and said it should be taken very seriously by both the military and political leaders. He stressed the need for accountability and called for heads to roll for the brazen actions of the Ikeja Air Force personnel.
Oduntan also highlighted the outstanding debt owed by Ikeja Air Force Base, amounting to N4.3bn, and criticized the lack of efforts to settle this debt, suggesting that the incident may have been a form of retaliation related to financial matters.
A Call for Immediate Action
Oduntan urged political leaders to shift their focus toward good governance and national security, warning that the military’s ability to carry out such acts of violence against civilians undermines the authority of the government and risks escalating into more severe confrontations. He likened the attack to a warning about the potential for a larger military coup, should the authorities fail to act.
“We need the presidency to respond swiftly and decisively,” Oduntan declared. He called for a transparent investigation into the incident, with the military bringing all involved culprits to book, and the recovery of all materials taken during the attack, including the database the military removed to cover their identities.
The Threat to National Security
“This is a serious matter that threatens the security of not just the DisCos, but also the safety of citizens across the country,” Oduntan concluded. He stated that unless the perpetrators are held accountable, such actions could be repeated, potentially on a larger scale. He warned that if left unchecked, it would signal to the military that such actions can be taken with impunity.
ANED is demanding justice for the victims, including those assaulted and those who had their property confiscated, urging both the military and the government to demonstrate commitment to upholding civilians' rights and protecting them from unlawful military aggression.
