By Izunna Okafor | Head of Communications
The Management of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited is deeply concerned about the increasing incidents of vandalism of critical electricity installations within its network across Anambra State, as such criminal activities remain a major setback to efforts to improve electricity supply and provide better services to customers.
From January 2026 to date, no fewer than 73 major cases of vandalism of electricity infrastructure have been recorded across different parts of the State. These incidents have continued to impose serious financial, operational and service-delivery burdens on the Company, while ultimately leaving communities and businesses without electricity for varying periods.
Every vandalised transformer or other critical installation comes at a cost. Depending on the extent of damage, FirstPower is forced to commit substantial resources to procure replacement materials, carry out repairs and restore the affected facility before electricity can be re-energised. During this period, however, customers connected to the affected infrastructure remain without supply.
The consequences therefore go far beyond the damaged equipment. FirstPower loses revenue while supply is unavailable, incurs additional expenditure on restoration and faces the pressure of attending to several affected locations simultaneously. On the other hand, customers, businesses, healthcare facilities, artisans and other economic activities within the affected areas equally bear the consequences through prolonged outages and disruption of their daily activities due to absence of supply.
The question is: why should an entire community be thrown into darkness because of the selfish action of one or a few individuals seeking to make a little money from stolen electricity materials? In many cases, these vandals reportedly dismantle these valuable electrical components and sell them as scrap for relatively little gain, without considering the enormous cost their actions impose on the Company and the thousands of customers who depend on that transformer or other affected installations.
Beyond the financial and service implications, vandalism is also extremely dangerous. Some suspected vandals have been arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Others have also suffered severe burns and, in worst cases, died in the act of vandalizing electrical installations, following unexpected restoration of supply while the vandalism was ongoing.
The Company also wishes to explain that some instances of seemingly unpredictable load-shedding are necessary operational measures. Where there is a known risk of vandalism, deliberately varying supply patterns can make it more difficult for criminals to predict when a particular transformer or network segment will be energised, thereby reducing the opportunity for them to target the installation.
Given the effects of this menace, FirstPower therefore wishes to remind the public that vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure are not minor offences, but come with huge consequences from different angles. Under Sections 209 and 210 of the Electricity Act, 2023, the theft of electric lines and materials, as well as knowingly receiving stolen electrical materials, are criminal offences carrying significant fines and terms of imprisonment. The Act also criminalises interference with electricity works, negligent damage to electricity materials and intentional disruption of power supply under Sections 211, 212 and 213, respectively.
Just barely two weeks ago, having taken cognizance of the alarming rate of vandalism and other electricity-related crimes, the Anambra State Executive Council, at its 11th meeting under the second term of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, resolved to amend the Anambra State Electricity Law to introduce stiffer and tougher punishments for vandalism of electricity installations, energy theft, and other related offences.
FirstPower is also mindful of the fact that the security of electricity infrastructure is a shared responsibility. The company consequently recognizes and commends the efforts of public-spirited individuals, communities, governments, security agencies, and other critical stakeholders in protecting the power infrastructure.
FirstPower specifically commends the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC) for their concerns and enormous efforts in nipping this menace in the bud. NERC and ASERC similarly recognise vigilant protection of electrical installations and the reporting of tampering as important obligations of electricity consumers and every stakeholder in the sector, just as security is everybody’s business.
This is why FirstPower has continued to strengthen the security of its network through closer collaboration with relevant security agencies, increased monitoring of vulnerable installations and engagement with host communities. The Company is also encouraging communities to support the protection of transformers and other facilities serving them, including through the installation of solar-powered CCTV cameras and security lights around vulnerable installations.
In some locations, affected customers and communities have also voluntarily partnered with FirstPower during restoration efforts by assisting with the procurement of required materials, after which the Company’s technical team undertake the installation and restoration work. While such community support is highly appreciated, FirstPower wishes to reiterate that all such interventions must be coordinated alongside the Company and carried out by qualified technical personnel of the company.
FirstPower will not relent in its efforts to secure its network, protect its assets and work with security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those involved in vandalism and related offences. But the Company cannot do this alone.
We therefore appeal to traditional rulers, town unions, community leaders, youth organisations, landlords, residents and all well-meaning Ndị Anambra to take ownership of the electricity infrastructure serving their communities. If you see suspicious movement around a transformer, substation, pole, cable or other electricity installation, say something. Report it. Do not ignore it.
A vandal may make a few naira from a stolen cable he sold as scrap, but an entire community can lose electricity, businesses can lose income, the Company can spend millions restoring the facility, while lives can also be put at risk.
Security of electricity infrastructure must be everybody’s business. There are allegations and impressions that some staff members of the company are also complicit in some of these menaces. But in FirstPower, there is no sacred cow; and any deliberate internal or external attempts to sabotage the company’s efforts and services to the customers will never be condoned or tolerated, irrespective of whose ox is gored.
Therefore, the law will take its full cause on whoever is arrested for vandalism and other related offences, irrespective of their status or portfolio. Hence, if you see something, say something. You may report through our whistleblowing number: 08161652465. Our social media channels are also active, and we assuredly guarantee maximum confidentiality of the reporter’s identity.
Once again, if you see something, say something. Together, we can protect our power infrastructure and build a safer and more reliable electricity network for Anambra State.
