IN the aftermath of the recent invasion of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) offices by Nigerian Air Force personnel on March 7, which was sadly followed by a similar attack on an Eko Electricity Distribution Company office in Badagry by personnel of the Nigerian Army, the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force promised to investigate the incident and mete out appropriate sanctions to the erring personnel. After a five-hour meeting between the leadership of the NAF in Lagos and IKEDC led by its chairman, Mr. Kola Adesina, both parties sued for peace while stressing the need for accountability and payment of the owed debt. The Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Adeniran Ademuwagun, who visited the IKEDC headquarters with his men, appealed to aggrieved staff and those injured. He said: “What happened this morning was quite unfortunate, and certainly it will not happen again.” On his part, the IKEDC boss, Adesina, said: “The leadership (of the military base) not only accepted that certain things ought not to have happened, but they also visited us to assess the damage. This level of engagement is unusual and appreciated.”
However, given that similar promises by the military leadership following the invasion of offices and other places by soldiers turned out to be hollow, the electricity distribution company representatives reportedly doubted the promise. This is, we believe, where the trouble lies. Had the military authorities kept their word following acts of assault and brigandage on civilians in the past, the recent incidents in which armed personnel stormed DisCo offices in Ikeja, Okota and Badagry, assaulting staff, vandalizing property, and confiscating laptops, phones and vehicles, probably would not have occurred. If anything, the latest incidents mark a disturbing escalation in the misuse of military power against civilian institutions. The incidents, driven by grievances over power outages and unpaid bills, are not only a violation of the rule of law but also a glaring reminder of the erosion of discipline within Nigeria’s armed forces.
It is a no-brainer that the military’s role is to protect citizens, not to intimidate or terrorise them. The sight of armed soldiers flogging civilians, forcing them to kneel, and destroying property is a throwback to the dark days of military rule when brute force was used to suppress dissent. Such behaviour has no place in a democratic society. The military is not above the law, and its personnel must be held accountable for their actions. While the frustrations of the soldiers over power outages and unpaid bills may be understandable, their response is utterly indefensible. Grievances, no matter how legitimate, must be addressed through legal and institutional channels, not through violence and intimidation. The soldiers’ actions not only violated the rights of innocent civilians but also further damaged the already strained relationship between Nigerians and electricity distribution companies (DisCos). Instead of garnering public sympathy, the military’s heavy-handed approach highlighted the dangers of unchecked power and the urgent need for reform within the armed forces.
As promised, the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army must investigate these incidents and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. A public apology to the affected staff and compensation for damaged property are essential steps toward restoring trust. The military leadership must also reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law and take concrete measures to prevent such incidents from recurring. This crisis is also a wake-up call on the government to address the systemic issues plaguing the power sector. The N4 billion debt owed by the military to IKEDC is symptomatic of a broader problem—non-payment for public utilities—which has crippled the power sector and contributed to Nigeria’s chronic electricity shortages. Resolving this issue requires political will, financial accountability, and structural reforms to ensure that all institutions, including the military, fulfill their obligations.
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The attacks on DisCo offices, and indeed any other offices housing citizens carrying out legitimate duties, must be condemned in the strongest terms. The actions are a stain on the reputation of the Nigerian military and a betrayal of the trust placed in it by the Nigerian people. Those responsible must face the full consequences of their actions, and urgent steps must be taken to prevent such abuses in the future. Nigeria’s democracy is founded on the principles of the rule of law, respect for civilian authority, and the protection of fundamental human rights. Any deviation from these core values weakens the country’s democratic institutions, erodes public trust, and threatens national stability. A military that disregards these principles not only undermines its own legitimacy but also sets a dangerous precedent that could embolden other security agencies to act outside the law.
The military must always remember that its primary duty is to defend the nation and its people, not to intimidate, oppress, or violate the rights of the very citizens it is meant to protect. Acts of impunity, such as the recent assaults on electricity distribution offices, damage the credibility of the armed forces and raise concerns about their commitment to democratic governance. The use of force against unarmed civilians is not only unjustifiable but also reminiscent of the darkest periods in Nigeria’s history when military rule stifled freedom and democracy. For Nigeria to progress as a stable and democratic nation, all institutions, especially those entrusted with national security, must operate within the bounds of the law. The military must uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights. Strengthening democratic norms requires that every organ of the state, including the armed forces, remains committed to justice, transparency, and the protection of civil liberties.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s future as a united and democratic country depends on the collective commitment of its leaders, security agencies and citizens to the rule of law. Only through adherence to these principles can the country build a just, peaceful and prosperous society where democracy thrives, and every citizen feels safe and protected.
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