IBEDC suspends staff over power infrastructure vandalism in Osun

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc has welcomed the arrest of individuals by the Osun State Police Command in connection with the alleged vandalism of electricity infrastructure in Ikirun, Osun State.

The Coordinating Head, Corporate Services, Angela Olanrewaju, disclosed this in a statement released on Wednesday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Olanrewaju said staff members of the company found complicit in the alleged criminal act had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

“Staff members implicated in the matter have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation,” she said.

Olanrewaju said IBEDC would fully support the Nigeria Police Force in the ongoing investigation to ensure a thorough, transparent and impartial process.

“The company is fully cooperating with the Nigeria Police Force in the ongoing investigation and supports efforts to ensure a thorough, transparent and impartial process,” Olanrewaju said.

“IBEDC will take appropriate internal disciplinary action in line with its policies and applicable laws. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards vandalism, theft of electricity infrastructure and all forms of unethical or criminal conduct,” she added.

Olanrewaju noted that vandalism of electricity infrastructure had become a growing concern in recent times, with significant consequences for electricity supply, customers, communities and the company.

“IBEDC has consistently raised concerns about the increasing incidence of vandalism and the damage it causes to critical electricity assets, resulting in prolonged outages, service disruptions and avoidable inconvenience to customers,” Olanrewaju said.

She restated that the company would continue to support law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to ensure that anyone found culpable faced the full weight of the law.

IBEDC also urged customers, community leaders and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around electricity infrastructure through appropriate channels.

“The company remains committed to transparency, accountability and the protection of critical electricity infrastructure across its franchise area,” Olanrewaju said.