By Daniel Tyokua
Kugbo residents in Abuja Municipal Area Council of FCT, have accused Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) workers of vandalizing transformer in the community.
One of the residents, Ayuba Bature, whose house is a few metres away from the transformer, confirmed that in February, 2026, he saw officials of AEDC cutting cables from the transformer claiming to take them for repairs.
Bature said the vandalism is a ploy by the officials to compel consumers raise funds for the purchase of new cables.
He said, “AEDC staff in charge of this Kugbo are criminals, they will steal cables from the transformer and pretend as if they are not aware of what happened.
“This is not the first time, anytime they remove things from the transformer people here raise huge amount of money for them. How can they say is vandals, from where? The area can’t be easily accessed by a stranger except AEDC workers”He said.
Another resident and a trader, Joy Nwosu confirmed that, ” I saw two AEDC workers inside the transformer removing wire around 5Am that they want to go and repair it, this thing happened in February while I was arranging my soft drinks and pure water in my cold room in the early hours” She said.
A trader in the area who don’t want his name mentioned said, ” we have started contributing money, some of us paid N100,000, others paid N200,000, the contribution is in progress. I believe they are delaying to repair the light so that people should bring in more money. The things people stock in the refrigerator worth millions of naira have damaged because no light.AEDC workers are wicked”He said.
One of the company’s workers under Karu area office who spoke with The AUTHORITY in confidence said,”It is difficult to explain what happened, how can vandals enter the transformer that is well protected? You can’t just enter the place if you are not familiar with the area.
“In truth, some of my colleagues have some questions to answer about what happened” said the staff.
However, Stakeholders led by Kugbo Layout Landlords’ Association chairman, Samuel Arome and legal adviser Titus Agundu, visited AEDC’s zonal office, Garki. The Chief Business Officer, Canice Emeka promised resolution, but victims remain without power about two months.
Several attempts by The AUTHORITY to hear from the Public Relations Officer of AEDC, Omede Odekina, since March 16, 2026 failed as calls and messages sent to his cell phone were not answered.
