Military attacks on electricity distribution companies in Nigeria have sparked outrage, with unions warning of a nationwide strike if violence continues
The Federal Government is facing intense criticism for its failure to address a series of violent attacks by military personnel on electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.
The latest in a disturbing series of assaults occurred on 14 March 2025, when soldiers from the Nigerian Army attacked the Eko Disco substation in Badagry, Lagos, continuing the trend of military aggression against power companies.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has expressed alarm over the growing threat to the safety of workers, warning that unless these attacks cease, they will have no choice but to withdraw their services nationwide.
The union condemned the assault on the Eko Disco facility, where two employees were abducted, tortured, and detained by soldiers after being accused of poor power supply to a military barracks.
This attack comes just one week after a similar incident at Ikeja Electric, where personnel from the Nigerian Air Force raided the company’s headquarters in Alausa, Lagos, on 6 March 2025.
The military personnel stormed the facility in military trucks, brutalising employees and journalists present on site.
The Air Force had earlier issued an ultimatum to Ikeja Electric demanding reconnection of power due to an outstanding N4bn debt, and upon expiry, took matters into their own hands, resulting in violent reprisals.
The attacks have raised concerns among industry stakeholders about the lack of action from the Nigerian government.
Despite the severity of the assaults, no response from the Presidency, Ministry of Defence, or the Chief of Defence Staff has been forthcoming, leaving many questioning the government’s commitment to protecting civilian infrastructure from military overreach.
The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has highlighted the alarming trend, suggesting that if the government had taken action against the military personnel involved in the Ikeja Electric attack, the subsequent assault on the Eko Disco substation might have been prevented.
The group’s CEO, Sunday Oduntan, warned that the lack of accountability for the officers involved emboldened others to repeat the violence.
The attacks have also drawn attention to the broader issue of the military’s relationship with civilian entities in Nigeria.
According to Oduntan, the impunity displayed by the military, particularly the officers involved in the Ikeja Air Force Base invasion, has resulted in further harassment of workers, who are now faced with both physical violence and professional intimidation.
“We are calling out the President, the National Security Adviser, and the Chief of Air Staff for their silence on this matter,” Oduntan said.
“The lack of response from these authorities is paving the way for further military aggression. This impunity must stop.”
The attacks on electricity workers have also drawn condemnation from the NUEE, which stated that the abuse of workers, particularly by military personnel, cannot continue.
The union’s Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, released a statement calling the assault on the Eko Disco substation an “unprofessional and atrocious act,” demanding that those responsible be held accountable.
The NUEE warned that unless immediate steps are taken to ensure the safety of electricity workers, they would be forced to go on strike, potentially plunging the country into a nationwide power outage. “To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” the statement concluded.
The recent spate of military invasions has exposed deep concerns about the security of critical infrastructure and the safety of workers across Nigeria.
As the situation continues to escalate, many are urging the government to act decisively to prevent further violence and restore confidence in the country’s power sector.