Tension erupted at the Dawaki Police Quarters in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday after officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, were attacked while carrying out an enforcement exercise against suspected electricity theft.
The incident occurred during a joint operation involving AEDC revenue protection personnel and security operatives. It followed intelligence reports of widespread meter bypass and other forms of illegal electricity connections in the estate.
According to information made available to journalists, the enforcement team visited the estate to disconnect illegal connections and restore affected installations to their approved metering configuration. The exercise came after months of customer sensitisation and warnings against electricity theft.
During the operation, officials reportedly discovered more than 15 residential premises with allegedly bypassed electricity meters. The electricity supply serving the estate’s security gate was also said to have been connected through an unauthorized bypass arrangement.
Eyewitnesses said the operation turned violent when some residents allegedly resisted and prevented the officials from leaving the estate. Several members of the enforcement team sustained injuries during the altercation. Mobile phones belonging to some officials were allegedly seized and photographs and video evidence deleted. Although no fatalities were recorded, injured personnel were later taken for medical treatment.
Sources familiar with the incident said the matter was subsequently reported to the Divisional Police Officer responsible for the area before the enforcement officials were able to exit the estate.
Reacting to the incident, AEDC described the attack as unacceptable. “No employee carrying out lawful duties should be subjected to violence or intimidation,” the company said.
The attack at Dawaki adds to a growing pattern of assaults on utility workers. AEDC had earlier reported similar incidents in Ado, a border town between Nasarawa and Abuja, and Jikwoyi in the FCT, where staff were attacked during routine revenue drives.
