Last week, personnel from the Nigerian Air Force stormed the headquarters of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (Ikeja DisCo), assaulting staff members in a violent protest against the disconnection of power supply to their base due to an outstanding debt of approximately ₦4 billion. This incident mirrors a previous situation in Ibadan involving the University College Hospital (UCH), raising concerns about the conduct of military personnel in civil matters.
Despite 24 years of uninterrupted democracy, such incidents continue to occur, highlighting a troubling lack of accountability within the military. The Chief of Air Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff have yet to publicly assure citizens that the military will act professionally in these situations.
The attack resulted in injuries to at least 15 staff members, with some requiring hospitalization. Ikeja DisCo officials expressed their outrage, noting that this violence is unprecedented and calls for immediate intervention from the Commander-in-Chief and other authorities. The management emphasized that they have made numerous attempts to resolve the debt issue amicably over several years, but these efforts have been met with resistance and hostility.
The situation is alarming and leaves a distressing impression on the public, underscoring the urgent need for a reassessment of military engagements with civilian entities.
