The Nigerian Army (NA) has denied allegations that its soldiers invaded the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) substation in Badagry, Lagos, stating that the claims made by the Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors (ANED) are misleading and do not reflect the true events that transpired.
In a statement released by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, the Army clarified that the incident in question occurred within the Topo Barracks and not at the EKEDC premises, as was reported. The Army’s response follows an interview with the Chief Executive Officer of ANED on Arise Television on March 18, 2025, where it was alleged that soldiers had invaded the power company’s facility and abducted staff members.
According to the Nigerian Army, the Badagry community, including the Topo Barracks, had been experiencing power outages for over a month. Despite reassurances from EKEDC, the issue persisted until the early hours of March 14, 2025, when power was finally restored at approximately 12:30 AM. However, a subsequent power surge led to a fire outbreak in a facility within the barracks managed by EKEDC, causing panic among residents.
The official statement from the Nigerian Army below;
Setting The Record Straight: Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors Allegations Against Soldiers of the Nigerian Army
The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to the alleged invasion of the EKO Electricity Distribution Company’s (EKEDC) substation in Badagry by soldiers of the Nigerian Army. The allegation was made during an interview conducted by Arise Television with the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors on 18 March 2025. The report failed to present the true picture of what transpired and therefore portends an attempt to mislead the public.
In the interest of Nigerian citizens that the NA is committed to protecting, it is imperative to clarify some issues and put the records straight.
The Badagry community where Topo Barracks is located has been grappling with power outage for over one month, despite this challenge, the community in Badagry, including the barrack community, have been managing with the situation in the face of repeated reassurances by the EKEDC.
Eventually, the power supply was restored in the early hours of 14 March 2025, at about 12:30 AM. However, following the restoration, a power surge occurred, triggering a fire incident in the barracks at a facility managed by EKEDC. This caused serious panic in the barracks, and in response, the soldiers on duty immediately coordinated efforts with EKEDC personnel to contain the situation. The company’s technical staff were granted access to the barracks at about 1:00 AM to rectify the fault, and they departed around 2:30 AM after successfully addressing the issue.
It is crucial to emphasize that while a misunderstanding occurred between a soldier and an EKEDC staff member during the process, it was swiftly and amicably resolved on the spot. This incident occurred in the Barracks and not in EKEDC premises. At no time was EKEDC substation company in Badagry invaded by any soldier, and neither was any staff of the company abducted or detained in the barracks.
Furthermore, the Commanding Officer of the unit has maintained a longstanding relationship with EKEDC’s leadership in Badagry, which remains unchanged. To ensure transparency and ascertain the precise cause of the fire outbreak, the Commanding Officer immediately constituted a Board of Inquiry to investigate the incident.
It was also observed that during the interview with Arise TV, the footage repeatedly aired by the station was entirely of a different incident, and the troops in the visual footage were not personnel of the NA. This has created a misleading narrative that suggests a hostile standoff between the NA and EKEDC.
As a responsible and reputable national institution, guided by extant statutory provisions of the constitution, the Nigerian Army takes human rights violations seriously and will not condone any form of misconduct against law abiding citizens going about their legitimate duties. The Nigerian Army also makes it a point of duty to ensure cordial relationships with its host communities and stakeholders.
*OLABISI OLALEKAN AYENI*
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations
81 Division, Nigerian Army
