Power Minister Seeks EFCC Intervention Over Vandalism, Energy Theft

The Minister of Power has called for greater involvement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in tackling the persistent problems of electricity infrastructure vandalism and energy theft across Nigeria.

The minister made the call amid concerns that criminal activities targeting power infrastructure are contributing to disruptions in electricity supply and undermining efforts to improve the country’s power sector.

According to the minister, vandalism of electricity infrastructure and illegal electricity connections have become major challenges affecting the performance and financial sustainability of the sector.

The minister urged the EFCC to strengthen collaboration with relevant agencies and electricity distribution companies to investigate and prosecute individuals and groups involved in energy-related crimes.

Power infrastructure, including transformers, cables and other equipment, has frequently been targeted by criminals, resulting in damaged facilities and prolonged outages in affected communities.

Energy theft has also remained a major concern, with illegal connections, meter bypassing and other forms of electricity theft contributing to revenue losses across the electricity supply chain.

The minister stressed that addressing the problem requires stronger enforcement as well as closer cooperation among security agencies, regulators and operators in the power sector.

He noted that continued losses from vandalism and energy theft could undermine investments being made to expand and modernise Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.

The call for EFCC intervention comes as the Federal Government continues to pursue reforms aimed at improving electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

Stakeholders in the sector have repeatedly identified inadequate infrastructure, financial challenges, technical losses and criminal activities as some of the obstacles to reliable electricity supply.

The minister maintained that protecting existing infrastructure is essential to ensuring that investments in the sector translate into improved electricity supply for consumers.

He therefore urged relevant authorities to intensify surveillance, enforcement and prosecution of offenders while encouraging electricity consumers to report suspicious activities involving power infrastructure.

The proposed collaboration with the EFCC is expected to strengthen efforts to address the financial dimensions of electricity-related crimes and ensure that offenders are held accountable.

The government is also expected to continue working with electricity companies and security agencies to reduce infrastructure losses and improve the reliability of the national power supply.