The Federal Government has intensified efforts to curb the vandalisation of power infrastructure, with the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, seeking closer collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force to establish a Joint Task Force for the protection of critical power assets across the country.
Tegbe made the request during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary and other senior officials of the Ministry of Power.
The minister commended the performance of the Nigeria Police Force under the current leadership, describing the protection of power infrastructure as critical to the success of ongoing reforms in the electricity sector.
He identified the persistent vandalisation of transmission and distribution facilities as a major challenge to stable electricity supply and called for intensified surveillance of critical installations as well as sustained collaboration between the Ministry and the Police.
Responding, the Inspector-General of Police welcomed the minister’s visit and reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to safeguarding critical national infrastructure, particularly power facilities.
He pledged the full cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force in protecting power assets and personnel, stressing that the Force would continue to pursue and prosecute individuals involved in vandalism and other crimes affecting the power sector.
The IGP also expressed readiness to work with the Ministry of Power to establish a Joint Task Force dedicated to the protection of power infrastructure nationwide.
The meeting underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation to secure Nigeria’s power infrastructure, improve electricity reliability and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
