Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
Ossiomo Power Company, located in Ologbo near Benin City, has reported losses exceeding N100 million following repeated incidents of vandalism and theft of its electrical equipment between September 2025 and September 2026.
In a statement, the company said several incidents had been reported to the police, including the vandalism of three 15-metre lengths of 185mm XLPE cables from its 33kV lines in November 2025.
The company also reported that on September 23, 2026, some individuals allegedly vandalised and removed armoured cables and conductors from its premises.
Some of the equipment was later recovered at the Ologbo Police Division and returned to the company, which said three trucks were used to transport the materials back to its facility.
Ossiomo Power Company expressed concern over the recurring attacks on its infrastructure, saying the incidents had resulted in significant financial losses.
In another incident last Wednesday night, suspected armed thieves allegedly broke into the company’s IPP2 power plant and attempted to steal cables.
A mobile police officer on guard reportedly shot and injured one of the suspects in the leg.
The company said the officer was subsequently arrested and detained at the Edo State Police Command headquarters.
On Thursday morning, October 29, three other suspected vandals were reportedly apprehended while allegedly attempting to remove electrical equipment from the same facility.
They were taken to the Ologbo Police Division, but the company said officers requested that one suspect with visible injuries receive medical treatment first.
Company officials subsequently took the suspects to a hospital in Ologbo.
The management called for stronger security measures and more decisive action to curb the persistent theft and vandalism of its facilities.
Efforts to reach the Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, for comments were unsuccessful.
However, a senior police officer, speaking anonymously, denied allegations of inaction and said reported theft cases involving the company’s Ologbo facility were under investigation.
