The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to protect Nigeria's electricity infrastructure, with the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, and the Nigeria Police Force agreeing to establish a Joint Task Force to combat vandalism and safeguard critical power assets across the country.
The decision followed a courtesy visit by the Minister to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where both parties discussed measures to strengthen the security of the nation's power infrastructure amid ongoing reforms in the electricity sector, a statement said on Wednesday.
Tegbe, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power and other senior management officials, said vandalism of transmission and distribution infrastructure remains one of the biggest obstacles to achieving a stable and reliable electricity supply.
He stressed that protecting power installations is essential to the success of the Federal Government's ongoing reforms and appealed for stronger collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force to enhance surveillance, prevent attacks on critical facilities and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
The minister commended the Police Force for its performance under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly since the appointment of IGP Tunji Disu, noting that the Force has continued to improve national security through proactive policing.
Responding, the Inspector-General of Police welcomed the Minister's visit and reaffirmed the Force's commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure, especially facilities within the power sector.
Disu said the Nigeria Police would work closely with the Ministry of Power to establish a Joint Task Force dedicated to protecting electricity infrastructure across the country.
He assured the Ministry of the Police Force's full cooperation in securing power assets and personnel, describing the sector as one of the country's most strategic and vulnerable to criminal attacks.
The IGP also pledged that the Police would intensify efforts to investigate and prosecute vandals and other individuals involved in crimes that undermine the nation's electricity supply.
The meeting underscored the Federal Government's determination to strengthen inter-agency collaboration as part of ongoing efforts to improve energy security, reduce infrastructure vandalism and ensure a more reliable power supply for Nigerians.
The planned Joint Task Force is expected to enhance intelligence sharing, coordinated surveillance and rapid response to threats against power installations, supporting the implementation of the electricity sector reforms under President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.