CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Residents of Ojo, Badagry and Ibeju-Lekki areas of Lagos State are lamenting prolonged power outages and poor network service as cases of transformer and telecommunication vandalism linked to scrap metal dealers continue to rise across the state.
The crisis comes amid fresh arrests by the Lagos State Police Command. Operatives have arrested five suspected telecommunication vandals and impounded a truckload of iron rods in Ibeju-Lekki on Monday, August 18, 2026.
The suspects — Mohammed Shaibu, 26; Musa Zakari, 29; Abdullahi Bala, 22; Salisu Musa, 18; and Yahuza Bala, 20 — were allegedly intercepted while transporting iron poles meant for telecoms mast construction without proper documentation.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, said the arrest followed credible intelligence. None of the suspects could provide evidence of ownership or authorization to move the materials. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba for further investigation.
The Police boss, CP Fatai, reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to safeguard public infrastructure. He also acknowledged the support of the 81 Division, Nigerian Army, in the operation.
In Ojo and Badagry, residents say the situation is worse. Several communities have been in darkness for weeks following alleged cases of transformer vandalism.
The blackout comes days after Police arraigned a 43-year-old man in Ojo Court over alleged theft of transformers, cables and oil worth over N20 million. Community leaders say the incident reflects a wider problem affecting public infrastructure.
This is also coming after Police recently paraded some suspects arrested over alleged vandalism on sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, the N15 trillion Federal road project.
In Ajangbadi area of Ojo, residents said they have been in darkness for over three weeks after suspected vandals allegedly removed cables and copper parts from a 500KVA transformer serving the street. The community said they had just contributed money to repair the same transformer two months ago.
A community leader in the area, who pleaded anonymity, said the stolen items are usually sold to scrap dealers who buy copper, aluminum and oil drums without asking questions. He stated that frozen food sellers, barber shops and tailors now spend more on fuel to run generators daily.
In Igboelerin, traders at the local market said sales have dropped by more than 40 percent. They alleged that the transformer serving the market was vandalized in late January 2026 and the copper windings were taken to a scrap yard in the area. Some traders said they now close by 6pm because of darkness.
Residents of Ijegun-Ikotun axis said they have experienced intermittent power supply since December 2025. Community members said vandals target transformers at night and sell the parts to scrap buyers the next morning.
In Badagry, communities including Ibereko, Ajido and Posuko said they have been without power for weeks. Residents alleged that transformer oil and armored cables were stolen and sold to scrap dealers operating along the Badagry Express Road. Parents said children are now forced to read with torchlights and rechargeable lamps.
A shop owner in Ibereko, Mrs. Bose Akin, said the situation has forced many businesses to close early. She stated that the cost of diesel has made it difficult to run generators daily, while the business of buying and selling scraps continues to thrive openly in the area.
Officials of the distribution company serving the area confirmed receiving several reports of vandalism in the last two months. They said most of the vandalized parts end up with scrap dealers who melt them down for quick cash. The company said repair costs are also rising and slowing down restoration.
Security experts said some scrap dealers have turned the business into a cover for buying stolen electrical equipment and materials from government projects. They noted that copper from transformers, telecom sites and construction projects fetch high prices, which encourages more attacks.
Telecommunication companies have also reported losses running into hundreds of millions of Naira annually due to vandalism. Industry stakeholders say damage to masts and cables leads to network downtime and poor service delivery.
The Federal and Lagos State Governments have warned against vandalism of public infrastructure. Authorities said offenders, including buyers, will face prosecution and that raids on illegal scrap yards will be intensified. Legal experts say the Criminalization of Vandalism Act prescribes severe penalties for dealing in stolen public infrastructure materials.
CP Fatai urged residents to remain vigilant and report any case of vandalism or suspicious movement of electrical and telecom equipment to the Police immediately.
Lagos State Police Command Emergency/Complaint Lines:
07061019374
08065154338
08063299264
08039344870
08080193432 – Marine Police
09168630929
The Commissioner assured that all information provided would be treated confidentially and that joint patrols with other security agencies would be intensified around vulnerable sites.
Residents are calling on the Police, community leaders and the distribution company to increase surveillance around transformers, telecom sites and project locations. They said urgent action is needed to prevent further attacks and restore power and network services to affected communities.
The Police said investigations into the Ibeju-Lekki case are ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.