The Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc has alleged that personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) invaded its Bauchi State headquarters and forced the reconnection of electricity to NAF residential quarters despite an outstanding debt of N196.7 million.

The company made the allegation in a statement following an incident at its Bauchi State Head Office in GRA, Bauchi, on September 18.

JED said it had disconnected electricity to the NAF residential quarters along Ningi Road on September 14 over prolonged non-payment of electricity bills.

According to the company, the outstanding debt stood at N196,730,844, representing about two per cent of the total outstanding debt owed within its Bauchi franchise.

JED said the disconnection was carried out in accordance with applicable regulatory and operational procedures after repeated failure to settle accumulated bills.

The company alleged that NAF personnel subsequently invaded its office and took away its State Operating Officer, Mr Samaila Isa Bukar, alongside an unspecified number of meter installers who were conducting activities under the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme.

JED further alleged that the personnel transported the staff in Air Force vehicles to the disconnected residential quarters, where some of the meter installers were physically assaulted.

The company said Bukar was threatened with further assault unless electricity was restored to the NAF quarters. It also alleged that the affected workers' mobile phones were seized and that they were warned against recording the incident.

According to JED, the staff were eventually released after being compelled to restore electricity supply to the quarters.

The company described the alleged action as an unacceptable use of force and intimidation, insisting that disputes between public institutions and regulated entities should be resolved through appropriate regulatory, administrative or legal channels.

The NAF spokesperson in Bauchi, Friday Ogili John, said the Air Force would respond to the allegations. However, no response had been issued at the time of filing the report.

JED said it remained committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and due process while urging relevant authorities to ensure that disagreements between public institutions did not result in threats to personnel or disruption of operations.