The management of Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc has strongly condemned an alleged invasion of its Bauchi State Head Office by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). The incident occurred on September 18, 2026, following a dispute over unpaid electricity bills. JED Plc had disconnected power supply to the NAF residential quarters along Ningi Road on September 14, 2026, due to non-payment.
According to JED Plc, the NAF residential quarters had a history of non-payment, operating under an unfulfilled assumption that their electricity charges would be absorbed by the main NAF base billing system. Despite prolonged non-payment and failure to settle the mounting debt, JED Plc executed the disconnection in line with standard regulatory and operational procedures. The company claims that NAF personnel resorted to an "unwarranted and intimidating show of force" instead of utilizing administrative or legal channels to resolve the dispute.
During the alleged invasion, NAF personnel took the State Operating Officer, Mr. Samaila Isa Bukar, alongside several meter installers who were on-site for the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP). The staff members were loaded into Air Force vehicles and driven to the disconnected residential quarters. JED Plc detailed the events during the encounter, including forced abduction, physical assault, and threats of violence.
JED Plc reported that its meter installers were subjected to intense physical assault upon arrival at the disconnected residential quarters. The State Operating Officer was allegedly threatened with severe physical harm if electricity was not immediately restored. Additionally, personnel had their mobile phones seized by the soldiers, who threatened anyone attempting to document or record the incident.
The incident has sparked concerns over the use of force by government agencies to resolve disputes. JED Plc's allegations of unwarranted invasion and abduction have raised questions about the accountability of NAF personnel. The company is yet to respond to inquiries about potential next steps in resolving the dispute.
The dispute highlights the challenges faced by electricity distribution companies in Nigeria, particularly in ensuring that customers pay their bills on time. JED Plc's disconnection of power supply to the NAF residential quarters was in line with standard procedures, but the response from NAF personnel has been widely condemned.
The incident is under investigation, and stakeholders are awaiting a response from relevant authorities.
Key points
- JED Plc disconnected power supply to NAF residential quarters due to non-payment of electricity bills.
- NAF personnel allegedly invaded JED Plc's Bauchi office, abducting and physically assaulting staff members.
- The incident has sparked concerns over the use of force by government agencies to resolve disputes.
