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The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) said it recorded about 8,000 cases of energy theft between January and October 2024.
IBEDC in a statement released on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Busolami Tunwase, revealed that such cases included meter bypass and illegal meter tampering.
According to the release, the alarming rate of energy theft resulted in financial losses totalling hundreds of millions of naira.
The electricity distribution company, however, warned that it had ramped up efforts against energy theft across its network.
Tunwase announced that IBEDC had entered into a partnership with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPETO) to “identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals involved in energy theft.”
According to the statement, acting Managing Director/CEO, Francis Agoha, emphasised the company’s zero-tolerance stance on energy theft, highlighting the severe consequences for.
“Energy theft is a significant challenge that impacts our ability to provide reliable service to our customers. We are intensifying our efforts through partnerships like this to ensure that those who engage in such practices face the full force of the law.
“Between January and October 2024, IBEDC recorded over 8,000 cases of energy theft, including meter bypass and illegal meter tampering, resulting in financial losses totalling hundreds of millions of naira.,” Agoha stated.
On the importance of the ongoing collaboration with SIPETO, he said, “Our partnership with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force is crucial. It not only enhances our capacity to detect and prosecute offenders but also sends a strong message that energy theft will not be tolerated. This undermines the integrity of our operations and deprives us of resources needed to improve service delivery.”
IBEDC, therefore, urged customers to refrain from any form of energy theft, warning of the severe penalties, including imprisonment, as stipulated under the Electricity Act.
“The company assures customers that SIPETO patrols are active and vigilant, investigating reported cases thoroughly,” the statement added.
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