Soldiers Storm IBEDC Office, Flog, Torture Workers for Not Giving Them Electric Power (Photo)

Salau Adekunle

Some Nigerian Soldiers stormed the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company substation and tortured and thoroughly beat its staff for not giving them electric power.

Workers of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company say they have become fearful in their office after some soldiers attached to the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Barracks, Abeokuta, Ogun State, allegedly beat up one of them over “poor power” supply, Punch reports.

According to the report, soldiers numbering about six and led by one Major Musa, stormed the IBEDC substation – Olumo business hub, Rounder – on March 6 and met one of them, Salau Adekunle, on duty.

They were said to have descended on Adekunle, the substation’s distribution officer, with horse whips. The complained of the unnecessary power outage at the barracks and its environs. The victim of the soldiers' beating ended up in the hospital.

He said, “I was on duty on that day around 12pm when the soldiers came into our office with horse whips. They told me to get up and without explanation, they started beating me. I had to go to the hospital for treatment. I informed our head office and it promised to do something about it.

“They had come earlier then to threaten us. We reported at our head office and the head of the barracks was petitioned. They complained that they did not get supply regularly, but it is not our fault. They said they would be the ones to determine the number of hours they want power. We told them it was not possible, but they didn’t want to listen.”

Another official they now live in fear over the incident.

“They (the soldiers) said it would not be threats again, but killing.  Major Musa said he would send soldiers we don’t know. We spoke out because we cannot wait for them to kill us,” he said.

Punch reports that a soldier attached to the brigade confirmed the attack on the telephone. The soldier, who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the press, said, “I am aware of it (the attack), but I was not around when it happened. Power supply is not regular in the barracks. We used to have power for eight to 10 hours.”