The Ondo State Police Command has begun an investigation into an alleged arson attack that razed a prepaid electricity meter warehouse in Okitipupa, destroying meters estimated at over ₦10 million.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
Ayanlade described the incident as a grievous offence, assuring that those behind the act would be brought to justice.
“We have launched investigation into the arson incident at the prepaid meter warehouse.
The public should be assured that the culprits will face the law after the conclusion of our investigation,” Ayanlade said.
According to reports, the warehouse — owned by Active Achievers Nigeria Limited, one of the Meter Asset Providers accredited by the Ondo State Government under the O’DATIWA Metering Scheme — was set ablaze by unknown persons on Monday.
The facility, located along Barracks Road, Okitipupa, reportedly contained over 100 Active Energy Prepaid Meters valued at ₦10 million, all of which were destroyed in the inferno.
Speaking with journalists, the company’s Managing Director, Henry Akinbola-Oyinbo, said residents were unable to salvage any equipment due to the intensity of the fire.
“We were informed early in the morning that a raging fire was consuming our warehouse.
Our Active Energy Prepaid Meters, though the best and most affordable in the market at the moment, are not inflammable, and as such could not have caught fire without someone deliberately setting it ablaze.
This is so devastating that agents of darkness could strike in this manner,” he lamented.
Akinbola-Oyinbo expressed concern that the attack might be a deliberate attempt to sabotage Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s O’DATIWA Metering Scheme, an initiative aimed at ending estimated electricity billing in the state.
“Most disheartening is the commendable initiative of Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to end estimated billing for energy consumers in Ondo State through the O’Datiwa Metering Scheme, which some bad elements appear determined to frustrate,” he said.
He further urged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the destruction.
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