The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, has arrested two men over alleged meter tampering and illegal electricity vending in the state.
The suspects, identified as Babatunde, 46, an electrician, and Akin, 40, a former staff member of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), were apprehended following a complaint involving a prepaid electricity meter.
Spokesperson of the command, ASCI Kehinde Adeleke, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday. She said the arrest followed a report linked to fraudulent activities on a prepaid meter belonging to an IBEDC customer.
According to the State Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo, the case began when the customer noticed a fault that prevented him from loading electricity units onto his meter. He subsequently contacted Babatunde, who assured him that the problem would be resolved.
Investigations later revealed that when Babatunde was unable to fix the fault, he engaged Akin, a former IBEDC employee. In a confessional statement, Babatunde admitted that the meter was unlawfully formatted and 200 electricity units were credited without payment.
The illegal activity was reportedly detected during IBEDC’s routine monitoring, prompting the company to alert the NSCDC for investigation.
Commandant Sotiyo warned electricians and other technical service providers against engaging in meter tampering, illegal vending of electricity or any act capable of undermining critical national infrastructure. He reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to protecting public assets and prosecuting offenders.
The NSCDC said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations and urged residents to report suspicious activities related to electricity meters and other infrastructure to the nearest NSCDC office.