The management of Aba Power has declared a renewed and uncompromising commitment to tackling the growing menace of the electricity infrastructure vandalism across its network.
Speaking during a strategic briefing with journalists and technical staff in Aba, the Managing Director of Aba Power, Barr. Ugochukwu Opiegbe, decried the rising wave of vandalism, particularly targeting ongoing project sites.
He described the acts as not only criminal but deeply damaging to economic and social life in affected communities.
“We are putting together a new strategy to combat vandalism in our network,” Opiegbe revealed.
“This new approach is largely hinged on public buy-in.”
As part of the new measures, Aba Power has set up a dedicated reporting line and deployed a rapid response team to swiftly address reports of vandalism. These teams, the company noted, will be strategically located to ensure prompt interventions.
Just days after the announcement, the company recorded a breakthrough as a suspected vandal was apprehended at Aro Ngwa in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area (LGA).
Chizurum Emmanuel, a 28-year-old native of Aro Ngwa, was caught red-handed on July 23, 2025, by the community’s vigilante group while attempting to vandalize a 300kVA transformer. He was handed over to the Osisioma Police Division and is currently assisting with investigations.
The arrest is the result of an ongoing collaboration between Geometric Security Services (GSS) and vigilant host communities.
Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, president general of the Aba Landlords Development and Protection Association (APALDA), who is also the president of the Abia State Amalgamates Traders Association, decried the attacks on basic public facilities, calling the perpetrators “the most mindless criminals who impede the progress of our people”.
Speaking on the development, Engr. Agege Ukaegbu, formerly of the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN), praised the arrest and called for stronger punitive action.
“Anyone who tampers with the public electricity infrastructure should face the full weight of the law,” Engr. Agege said.
“We must treat vandalism as economic sabotage. Communities must remain alert and uncompromising in defending their power supply.”
Also speaking at the briefing, Engr. Simeon Akpata, Head of Technical Services at Aba Power, commended communities that have proactively protected infrastructure in their areas.
He stressed that there is a clear link between community vigilance and improved service delivery.
The Chief of Geometric Security Services (GSS), Mr. Kenneth Agu, assured stakeholders that his team is fully mobilized with trained personnel and advanced surveillance tools to monitor and respond to threats across the network.
In a direct call to action, Aba Power urged residents and communities to rise in defense of not just electricity infrastructure but their own wellbeing.
“This is beyond just protecting a transformer,” the statement read.
“Every act of sabotage affects lives, businesses, and education. We call on all residents to join hands with Aba Power to secure our network and secure our future.”
The message from the leadership is clear: lasting success in the fight against vandalism requires a united front—between the company, security agencies, and the communities that depend on electricity the most.
