…AIRFORCE OWES US N4,340,566,490.97 – IKEDC
Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) has spoken out loud in a petition to the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Sam Ethnan Air Force, and the Base 651 Base Service Group, Nigeria Air Force, Ikeja, Lagos State over the brutalization and harassment from officers of the air force base over N4,340,566,490.97 debt owed to the company for over 12 years.
In a letter titled: “RE: INCITEMENT OF ARMED TROOPS AND ABUSE OF OFFICE,” Ikeja Electric explained that as a company, they have engaged the Airforce authority on the debt profile, despite all meetings they have had, the force refused to pay.
Despite that, they had to install Autorecioser device as a temporary solution to help manage electricity supply to the Base in line with payments received with plans to replace it with a High Voltage Pre-paid meter, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable arrangement.
According to IKEDC, the Autorecloser device was installed twice and was vandalized on both occasions, which undermined their efforts to manage energy supply to the Base. They added that such malicious damage to their equipment was reminiscent of the alarming incident in June 2024, where their staff were assaulted.
In the letter, IKEDC while making reference to Airforce Base letter dated March 4, 2025 with reference number 651BSG/527/HQ, noting that they recognize the vital role Sam Ethnan Air Force Base and the Nigeria Air Force play in safeguarding our nation, businesses, and citizens and we are committed to supporting their operations at all times.
According to IKEDC, “Over the past 12 years, since privatization, we have maintained this commitment, which has resulted in an accumulated debt of 4,340,566,490.97 (Four Billion Three Hundred and Forty Million Five Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand Four Hundred and Ninety Naira Ninety-Seven Kobo) on the Base’s account.
“This amount includes N893,148,424.54 1 with the leadership of Sam Ethnan Air Force Base (SEAFB) to address concerns regarding electricity supply and unpaid monthly bills. Despite numerous discussions and formal notifications, the issue persists, prompting us to explore alternative solutions.
“Over the years, we have explained that the massive debt has severe consequences on our business (as a private business no longer funded by the government), hindering our ability to meet regulatory requirements and operational needs, ultimately affecting our capacity to deliver efficient services to customers, including SEAFB.
“Despite the significant outstanding debt, we have exercised restraint in exercising our statutory right to disconnect supply. Instead, we have implemented measures to prevent further accumulation of debt by managing energy supply to the Base in proportion to the monthly payments received.
“As a temporary solution, we installed an Autorecioser (a device which will help us manage electricity supply to the Base in line with payments received) with plans to replace it with a High Voltage Prepaid meter, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable arrangement.
“We have installed the Autorecloser device twice, only to have it vandalized on both occasions, undermining our efforts to manage energy supply to the Base. This malicious damage to our equipment is reminiscent of the alarming incident in June 2024, where our staff was assaulted.
Ikeja Electric has incurred not only equipment damage but also physical harm and trauma for our staff, all while attempting to provide services to SEAFB without incurring losses.
IKEDC reiterated that in a ditch effort to ensure that the debt owed was resolved, the management of Ikeja Electric had a key meeting with Air Officer Commanding (AOC), AVM Ademulegun, on October 3, 2024, where they agreed to install a High Voltage Pre-pad meter.
However, despite this agreement, IKEDC staff members were denied access to install the meter on two separate occasions in December 2024 and February 2025.
“Unfortunately, the combination of the refusal for the installation of the pre-paid meter, equipment damage, and accumulated debt over N4 billion has led us to now withdraw our services from SEAFB.”
Ikeja Electric further reiterated that they remain committed to continuing delivering an unwavering power supply to SEAFB, but they must do so in a way that prevents further financial losses.
“Throughout our partnership, Ikeja Electric has consistently demonstrated patience, understanding, and a commitment to reliability. We are willing to engage in discussions with you to resolve this matter amicably, based on mutually acceptable terms and conditions,” Ikeja Electric stated in a letter they also sent to the Chief of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force.
In a reaction, the Nigerian Airforce on Thursday, 6th March, 2025 had a press conference at the Ikeja Electric office, Ikeja where they agreed to settle the outstanding debts.
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