The Nigerian Army (NA) has dismissed allegations made by the Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors (ANED) regarding an alleged invasion of the EKO Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) substation in Badagry by soldiers. The claims were made during an interview with Arise Television on March 18, 2025, by ANED’s Chief Executive Officer, a report the Army has described as misleading and inaccurate.
In a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, the NA clarified that the incident in question took place within Topo Barracks and not at EKEDC’s facility.
According to the statement, the Badagry community, including the barracks, had been experiencing a prolonged power outage for over a month despite repeated assurances from EKEDC. Power was eventually restored at about 12:30 AM on March 14, 2025, but a subsequent power surge triggered a fire outbreak at an EKEDC-managed facility within the barracks, causing panic among residents.
Soldiers on duty immediately worked with EKEDC’s technical personnel, who were granted access to the barracks at about 1:00 AM to resolve the issue. The team successfully addressed the fault and left the barracks around 2:30 AM.
While a misunderstanding did occur between a soldier and an EKEDC staff member during the process, the Army emphasized that it was swiftly and amicably resolved. The statement stressed that at no time did soldiers invade the EKEDC substation in Badagry, nor was any staff member abducted or detained.
Furthermore, the Army condemned the footage aired by Arise TV during the interview, noting that it was unrelated to the incident and featured troops that were not personnel of the Nigerian Army. This, the statement said, created a misleading narrative suggesting a confrontation between the NA and EKEDC.
To ensure transparency, the Commanding Officer of the unit has constituted a Board of Inquiry to investigate the fire outbreak and ascertain its exact cause. The Army reaffirmed its commitment to upholding human rights and maintaining a cordial relationship with its host communities and stakeholders.
As a responsible national institution, the Nigerian Army stated that it remains dedicated to protecting Nigerian citizens and will not condone any misconduct against law-abiding individuals carrying out their legitimate duties.