Following a violent attack by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel on Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) last Thursday, 15 employees were hospitalized with injuries, while the company’s office remained deserted yesterday. Power has yet to be restored at the NAF base, and the incident has drawn widespread condemnation, including from the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

A senior Ikeja DisCo official, speaking anonymously for security reasons, confirmed that over 15 staff members were receiving treatment at undisclosed hospitals. He added that operations were partially halted, with the union advising employees to stay away if they felt unsafe. “Business is not fully operational. The union has asked members to stay home if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe,” he said.

Ikeja DisCo’s Chairman, Kola Adesina, revealed that the NAF’s N4 billion debt has severely impacted the company’s operations. Despite seven years of negotiations, the debt remains unpaid. “We are owed about N4 billion, and this has created significant liabilities on our balance sheet, pushing us to the brink of bankruptcy,” Adesina stated. He emphasized that as a distribution company, Ikeja DisCo is responsible for remitting funds to gas suppliers, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, and other stakeholders, making the unpaid debt a critical issue.

The attack, triggered by a two-week power outage at the NAF base, left Ikeja DisCo’s headquarters in Alausa, Lagos, eerily quiet. Only a handful of staff reported for duty, with many still traumatized by the invasion. Employees recounted being brutalized, with laptops, phones, and installation equipment stolen during the chaos. One female staff member, who requested anonymity, described the invasion as terrifying. “I thought we were under attack by armed thugs. I fell and sustained bruises, and some colleagues sprained their ankles. The physical and emotional pain is still fresh,” she said.

Ikeja DisCo’s Public Relations Officer, Kingsley Okotie, confirmed that he and many colleagues were still recovering from injuries. “I’m limping and receiving medical treatment. The office is nearly empty because people are scared and traumatized. We’ve advised those affected to seek medical help rather than force themselves to return to an unsafe environment,” he said. Okotie also confirmed that power had not been restored to the NAF base, as critical equipment was stolen during the attack.

NECA condemned the incident, calling it a threat to Nigeria’s democratic governance and investment climate. In a statement, NECA’s Director General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, urged the federal government to establish a committee to review electricity debt profiles across military bases and ensure prompt payment. “This attack is unlawful and undermines the progress made in democratic governance. It sends a wrong signal to domestic and foreign investors,” the statement read.

NECA also called for immediate government intervention to settle the NAF’s debt and restore power to the base. “Ikeja Electric is a private entity with over 2,600 employees. It has the right to demand payment for services rendered and suspend services for non-payment. The federal government must act swiftly to prevent such incidents from recurring,” the statement added.

The attack has raised concerns about the safety of private businesses and their employees, as well as the broader implications for Nigeria’s investment environment. Stakeholders are urging the government to address the underlying issues to prevent future occurrences.