Defence Headquarters Vows Sanctions Over Attack on Ikeja Electric Staff

The Defence Headquarters has pledged to sanction any officials found responsible for the attack on personnel of Ikeja Electric (IE), formerly known as Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC).

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, confirmed that the incident is under is currently being investigated and assured that those culpable will face disciplinary action.

“What happened at Ikeja Disco is being taken seriously by the Defence Headquarters and the Nigerian Air Force,” Bankole stated. “Any necessary sanctions will be imposed. There is zero tolerance for such behaviour. The underlying issues between the Air Force and IKEDC (IE) are being addressed.”

He emphasized that military personnel are meant to protect civilians and should not be feared.

“People should not be scared when they see individuals in uniform; those in uniform are there to protect you,” he said, adding that this principle is being reinforced at military institutions such as the Depot in Zaria, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), and the Nigerian Defence College (NDC).

Earlier, SaharaReporters had reported that armed military personnel stormed the headquarters of Ikeja Electric in Lagos on March 6, attacking staff and others present.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed uniformed men invading the company’s premises near MITV in Ikeja, Lagos. Witnesses recounted how employees and others on the premises were beaten by the soldiers.