Power Minister Seeks Police Crackdown on Energy Thieves and Vandals

( Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe. Photo by Punch News)

Joseph Tegbe, the Minister of Power, has urged the Nigeria Police Force to step up its efforts to stop energy thieves and vandals who target vital power facilities throughout the nation.

During a courtesy visit to Olatunji Disu, the Inspector-General of Police, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the minister made the call and the two leaders decided to strengthen their tactical cooperation in order to safeguard the national grid.

According to a police statement on Wednesday, Tegbe discussed the critical need to safeguard energy infrastructure.

Pointing out that widespread energy theft and ongoing electrical equipment destruction continue to be significant barriers to a dependable power supply across the country.

“The Minister was accompanied by senior ministry officials, including Mr. Mahmud Mamman, Permanent Secretary; Engr. Mustapha Baba-Umara, Director, Distribution; Engr. Kingsley Eneh, Director, Energy Resources; and Mr. Martins Olajide, Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister,” the statement said in part.

“Discussions centered on addressing important security issues affecting the power industry, particularly the massive energy theft and pervasive vandalism of national power infrastructure.

Tegbe requested the Nigeria Police Force’s ongoing assistance and tactical cooperation in order to protect electricity assets across the country, step up surveillance of vital infrastructure, and apprehend energy offenders.

Inspector-General of Police Disu responded by assuring the ministry that the Force is fully prepared to protect the nation’s grid infrastructure and prosecute offenders.

According to the statement, “Disu reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to safeguarding critical national infrastructure, bolstering energy security, and decisively prosecuting perpetrators of power sector crimes.”

Every year, energy theft, infrastructure vandalism, and the destruction of power lines and transformers cost Nigeria’s power industry billions of naira, resulting in regular national grid breakdowns and inadequate power supplies.