Ossiomo Power Raises Alarm Over N100m Theft, Faults Edo Police Response
By Marian Alekhue
The management of Ossiomo Power Company, located in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, has raised the alarm over alleged vandalism and theft of its electricity infrastructure valued at more than N100 million, accusing the Edo State Police Command of failing to adequately investigate its complaints.
The company also alleged that the police had demonstrated double standards in handling security incidents involving its facilities, claiming that reports of vandalism and theft were not given adequate attention, while its personnel faced police action in other circumstances.
In a statement made available to journalists in Benin City, the company said repeated reports of the theft of high-value electrical equipment had yielded little or no meaningful response from the police.
It alleged that several complaints concerning the destruction, vandalism and theft of its facilities had been swept under the carpet, while the police acted against the company over what it described as flimsy excuses.
According to the management, the market value of electrical equipment allegedly stolen from its premises in Ologbo between September 2025 and September 2026 exceeded N100 million.
The company disclosed that it reported the vandalism of its 33kV power lines in November 2025, involving three lengths of 15-metre, 185mm XLPE cables, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Benin City.
“In November 2025, the company reported a case of vandalism of its 33kV lines — three lengths of 15-metre, 185mm XLPE cables. The case was reported to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Benin City, but up till date, nothing has been done about it,” the statement alleged.
The company further alleged that on September 23, 2026, personnel of Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Co. Ltd (CCETC), accompanied by suspected hired thugs, vandalised its cables and conductors in broad daylight.
It claimed that some of those who allegedly trespassed on its premises and removed the equipment were CCETC employees and their associates, while other unidentified individuals also participated in the alleged theft.
Ossiomo Power said it reported the incident to the police but alleged that no meaningful action was taken against those responsible.
The management, however, disclosed that some of the electrical equipment allegedly stolen from its facilities was later recovered at the premises of the Ologbo Division of the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Interestingly, some of the alleged stolen electricity equipment, some days after the theft, was recovered at the premises of the Ologbo Division of the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement said.
According to the company, the Divisional Police Officer subsequently released the recovered equipment to its representatives after its staff discovered the items at the police station.
It said three trucks were used to transport the recovered armoured cables and conductors back to its premises, alleging that the materials had been vandalised and stolen by individuals linked to CCETC.
The company expressed concern that, despite the alleged destruction of its infrastructure and the recovery of some of the equipment, no suspects had been arrested or questioned over the incidents.
In a separate incident, the management said suspected armed thieves who allegedly broke into its IPP2 plant on Wednesday night were arrested while attempting to cut and steal cables.
It alleged that a police officer attached to the company shot and injured one of the suspects in the leg during the incident.
The company, however, expressed concern that the officer was subsequently arrested and detained at the Criminal Investigation Department.
“We view this arrest as one too many because, by the behaviour of the Edo State Police Command, it is becoming very obvious that they are working against the interest of Ossiomo Power Company for whatever reasons,” the statement added.
The management insisted that it expected the police to remain impartial in handling security-related complaints and protecting critical electricity infrastructure, but alleged that its experience with the state command had fallen short of that expectation.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Edo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, were unsuccessful, as she did not answer her telephone calls.
The police had yet to respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
