The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has called on the Nigerian Air Force, the military, and the presidency to hold accountable the officers and personnel from the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja, who attacked staff and journalists at Ikeja Electric on Thursday.
ANED stated it will not stop seeking justice for all those brutalized by the armed military men at the Ikeja Electric headquarters in Alausa, Lagos.
Our reporter, who was also assaulted during the incident, reported that after the attack, the Area Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal AK Ademulegun, visited the office later that day, promising an investigation into the matter.
However, during a Friday interview on TVC, Sunday Oduntan, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at ANED and spokesman for the electricity distribution companies (DisCos), expressed disbelief that Ademulegun was unaware of the assault. Oduntan emphasized that the Association would persist in their efforts until justice is served.
He also revealed that the Ikeja Air Force Base has an outstanding debt of N4.3 billion, which remains unpaid, despite the situation.
Oduntan remarked, “I still believe we’re in a civilized country. We want to see how the presidency and military authorities will respond, as heads must roll. Armed personnel leaving Ikeja Air Force Base in trucks to beat civilians is inexcusable. Over a hundred people were forced to lie on the ground and beaten. Someone must answer for this.”
Oduntan described the invasion of the IKEDC by armed men as akin to a coup against all DisCos. He urged political leaders to treat this issue with urgency, describing it as a deeply traumatic experience that has left many sleepless.
He warned that the incident should serve as a warning: “The actions of the Air Force yesterday demonstrate their ability to execute a coup. If military personnel can sign out trucks filled with armed men to attack civilians, it shows the extent of their power. The political class must focus on governance, not distractions.”
He further stressed that unless those responsible are brought to justice, such attacks could happen again on a larger scale, including against government entities like the Lagos State Government, the National Assembly, or the federal government itself.
“The President must respond to this issue, and the military must act transparently. The attackers must be brought to book, and the stolen materials, including the database taken during the assault, must be fully restored,” Oduntan concluded.
Punch
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