Power minister urges police to tackle energy theft, vandalism

Nigeria's Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called upon the Nigeria Police Force to escalate its crackdown on individuals involved in energy theft and the vandalism of critical power installations nationwide. The appeal was made during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Both leaders committed to strengthening tactical collaboration to safeguard the national grid.

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The Minister was accompanied by senior ministry officials, including Mr. Mahmud Mamman, Permanent Secretary; Engr. Mustapha Baba-Umara, Director, Distribution; Engr. Kingsley Eneh, Director, Energy Resources; and Mr. Martins Olajide, Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister.

Minister Tegbe highlighted that rampant energy theft and the destruction of electrical equipment are significant impediments to achieving reliable power supply across the country. He requested the police's continued support and enhanced surveillance on critical installations, along with decisive action against those perpetrating power sector crimes. Senior ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary and directors of Distribution and Energy Resources, accompanied the minister.

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Discussions focused on tackling critical security challenges impacting the power sector, specifically the rampant vandalisation of national power infrastructure and widespread energy theft. Tegbe solicited the continued support and tactical collaboration of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguard power assets nationwide, intensify surveillance on critical installations, and clamp down on energy criminals.

Inspector-General Disu assured the Ministry of Power of the police's full commitment to securing national grid infrastructure and prosecuting offenders. Nigeria's power sector reportedly loses billions of naira annually due to energy theft and infrastructure vandalism, including the destruction of power lines and transformers. These issues contribute directly to frequent national grid collapses and a persistent lack of adequate power supply for citizens.

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Disu reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding critical national infrastructure, bolstering energy security, and decisively prosecuting perpetrators of power sector crimes.