Lagos, Nigeria – Chaos erupted early Thursday morning as armed military personnel from the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja invaded the headquarters of Ikeja Electric (IKEDC), vandalizing property, assaulting workers, and abducting the company’s CEO, Folake Soeta. The violent raid followed the disconnection of electricity supply to the Air Force base over a multimillion-naira debt.
Eyewitnesses reported that the armed soldiers stormed the IKEDC office at Alausa around 7:40 a.m., forcing employees to kneel at gunpoint while destroying office equipment. Viral videos captured the harrowing scene, showing terrified workers being subjected to humiliation and violence.
In a separate incident, another group of military men reportedly attacked an IKEDC branch in Ago Palace Way, Okota, further escalating tensions.
Debt Dispute Turns Violent
The Sam Ethnan Air Force Base had been without power for two weeks after IKEDC disconnected supply due to unpaid bills. Sources revealed that an agreement was reached for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to pay ₦60 million monthly to ensure 10–12 hours of daily electricity supply. However, the base allegedly failed to meet its financial obligations, leading to the disconnection.
A reliable source within the military, however, claimed that NAF had consistently paid its bills, including an excess payment of ₦60 million in November, with no accountability for the balance. The source expressed concerns over the base’s operational warehouse, which houses high-calibre armaments. The prolonged power outage reportedly compromised the cooling systems, posing a risk to the safety and security of the stored weapons.
Police Deny Involvement
The Lagos State Police Command has distanced itself from the incident, with spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin stating, “The police were not involved in that incident. Meanwhile, normalcy has returned to the area, and the police are on the ground to ensure that the restored normalcy is maintained.”
Outrage and Calls for Accountability
The violent attack has sparked outrage among Nigerians, with many condemning the military’s actions as an abuse of power. Social media users have called for a thorough investigation into the incident and accountability for those involved.
IKEDC and NAF officials have yet to issue official statements regarding the incident. However, the abduction of the CEO and the brutal treatment of IKEDC staff have raised serious concerns about the rule of law and the safety of civilian workers in disputes with government agencies.
What’s Next?
As tensions simmer, questions remain about the underlying issues that led to the violent confrontation. Will the military and IKEDC resolve their dispute amicably, or will this incident further strain relations between the power company and government institutions?
For now, the focus remains on the safety of the abducted CEO and the traumatized workers, as Nigerians await answers and justice.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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Reported by DAILY MENTOR