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Electricity consumers to get meter payments refund – EKEDC

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Prepaid meter

Electricity consumers to get meter payments refund – EKEDC

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) says all electricity consumers who paid for meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme will be refunded through credit “token” within six months.

The Chief Executive Officer, EKEDC, Dr Tinuade Sanda, gave the assurance during a Customer Engagement Forum on Thursday in Agbara, a suburb of Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that customers at the forum were drawn from Agbara business unit which covers Agbara, Owode, Ijanikin, Ajara and Badagry.

Others are Ajido, Otto-Awori, Ketu, Pota, Avia, Oko-Afo, Aiyetoro, Seme, Ilogbo-Ereni, Era-Abule, Kwame, Aradagun and lbereko.

Sanda, represented by the General Manager, Commercial, Revenue Cycle, EKEDC, Mr Samuel Edoho, urged customers to key into the ongoing metering process to avoid being billed through estimated billing.

According to him, the only way to end the frequent complaint on alleged over-billing and estimated billing is to acquire meters.

“Customers who paid through MAP scheme will be refunded within six months.

“The Disco has started massive metering of customers who paid through the MAP scheme,” she said.

The EKEDC boss noted that the clarification became necessary because some consumers wanted to know if the money they paid for meters under the MAP scheme would be refunded.

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She explained that the essence of the forum was to interact with customers within their network on better way to improve service delivery.

“Our mission in Eko DisCo is to improve the quality of lives of all customers by utilising cutting-edge technology to safely, sustainably and reliably supply electricity.

“That is what we stand for, and we will continue to promote this,” Sanda said.

She expressed confidence that Eko Disco was committed to economic and infrastructure development.

She said that the company was also committed to delivering safe, reliable and steady power supply to customers within its network operations.

On metering, the chief executive officer said that the Distribution Company (Disco) had a goal to achieve 100 per cent metering of its customers.

She said that currently, DisCos had metered about 70 per cent of its customers, and was also working toward ensuring effective metering of the remaining 30 per cent.

The EKEDC’s boss further said that the money collected from customers was owned by all the players within the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) value chain.

“The remittances to the market operator by the DisCos are shared within the value chain and the balance received by them is used for infrastructure needs, operations and staff salaries.

“It is an acknowledged fact by all stakeholders in NESI that the elimination of estimated billings and urgent targeted metering of customers with prepaid meters is the way to go.

“Nowadays, there are bottlenecks specifically from Generation Companies (GenCos),” she said.

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On vandalism, Sanda urged customers to be their watchdogs and report destruction of equipment to the management.

She appealed to customers and stakeholders to support the company in tackling energy theft and vandalism within its network.

According to her, in spite of huge investment in power infrastructure by EKEDC, vandalism of equipment is still on the high side.

She said that activities of vandals were crippling power distribution to the company’s customers.

According to her, recently, we reported cases of stolen cables, damaged transformers and other network infrastructure.

She said that the company had invested huge amount on infrastructure development such as upgrading of equipment, transformers and poles.

Sanda, however, assured electricity consumers within its network that all complaints raised would be addressed.

In his remarks, the Baale of Era Town, Otto-Awori, Chief Olumide Erinle, commended Eko Disco management for prompt response to faults, while appealing to community representatives to bear with the company pending when their complaints are addressed.

Erinle urged EKEDC to embark more on enlightenment campaigns to educate communities within their network on the need to desist from building houses under high tension wires.

He said that Discos should ensure all complaints were addressed before the next town hall meeting.

“The issue of low-shedding of electricity in rural areas should be urgently addressed.

“All residents should also assist DisCo in securing their facilities to deliver on their promises,” he said.

Also, the Chairman, Customers Consultative Forum, Mr Festus Eweka, urged Eko Disco to install solar lights in all transformers and their facilities within the rural communities to safeguard the equipment.

Eweka commended the community leaders for their opinion and urged them to continue in protecting EKEDC’s facilities against vandals.

Electricity consumers to get meter payments refund – EKEDC

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One Killed, Five Injured as Violence Disrupts Obi-Kwankwaso Rally in Delta

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One Killed, Five Injured as Violence Disrupts Obi-Kwankwaso Rally in Delta

One Killed, Five Injured as Violence Disrupts Obi-Kwankwaso Rally in Delta

One person has been killed and five others injured following a violent clash that disrupted a political procession organised by supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Asaba, Delta State.

The incident occurred at about 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, along Nnebisi Road, during a one-million-man march organised by supporters of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed the casualties, disclosing that the identities of the deceased and injured persons had yet to be established as investigations commenced.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the command said it had received intelligence indicating the possibility of violence ahead of the procession.

According to the police, organisers of the rally were invited to a security meeting, where they were briefed about the identified threats and advised against holding an open-road procession.

The command said the organisers were encouraged to conduct their political activities at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.

However, the police alleged that the organisers ignored the advice and proceeded with the procession.

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Following a distress call, police operatives were deployed to the scene and evacuated the injured victims to hospital for medical attention.

Security was subsequently reinforced in the affected area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.

Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and reiterated that political parties were free to conduct lawful campaigns and other political activities across the state.

He, however, urged political parties and their supporters to avoid road processions in the interest of public safety and liaise with the police ahead of political gatherings to facilitate adequate security arrangements.

The command also appealed to members of the public with useful information about the incident to contact the police through 09155570008 or 09155570007.

Meanwhile, the NDC has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the attack, alleging that the incident was an attempt to intimidate opposition supporters and disrupt its political activities.

Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and NDC senatorial candidate for Delta North, Victor Ochei, called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to order an immediate investigation and ensure that those responsible were arrested and prosecuted.

Ochei alleged that more than 30 campaign buses were destroyed during the attack, accusing suspected attackers of being mobilised by individuals allegedly connected to the ruling party.

However, Delta APC spokesperson, Valentine Onojeghghuo, dismissed the allegation, insisting that the NDC had provided no evidence linking APC members to the incident.

He described the accusation as baseless and urged the opposition party to embrace peaceful political engagement.

The Delta State Coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, Favour Emerue, also alleged that the gathering was peaceful before suspected hoodlums disrupted the procession, leaving some participants injured.

In a separate reaction, Peter Obi condemned the reported attacks on his supporters and NDC members in Delta State, calling on the state government and security agencies to investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice.

The latest violence has renewed concerns about the safety of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The police have assured residents that a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the clash and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.

One Killed, Five Injured as Violence Disrupts Obi-Kwankwaso Rally in Delta

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Power Outage: Tegbe Gives Nigerians 72-Hour Timeline as FG Moves to Restore Electricity

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FG Targets 24-Hour Electricity in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Others

Power Outage: Tegbe Gives Nigerians 72-Hour Timeline as FG Moves to Restore Electricity

ABUJA – Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has assured Nigerians that electricity supply will begin to improve within the next 48 to 72 hours as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to address the challenges responsible for the recent power outages across parts of the country.

Tegbe gave the assurance in an update on the country’s power situation amid growing complaints from electricity consumers over prolonged blackouts, particularly in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.

The minister attributed the worsening electricity supply to a combination of planned maintenance at Egbin Power Station, inadequate gas supply to some thermal power plants and sabotage of critical transmission lines.

According to him, the challenges have reduced the volume of electricity available on the national grid, forcing grid operators to implement load shedding in some areas to manage the shortfall.

He explained that maintenance activities at Egbin Power Station, one of Nigeria’s major electricity-generating facilities, had contributed significantly to the reduction in power generation.

The minister also identified gas supply constraints affecting some thermal power stations as another factor responsible for the decline in electricity generation.

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Tegbe further alleged that sabotage of key transmission lines had restricted the use of alternative routes for supplying electricity to some locations, particularly Lagos.

He said the Federal Government was working with relevant operators to address the challenges and restore the affected generating units in phases.

“My team and I are working to return the affected generating units to service in phases, with the first units coming back online within the next 48 to 72 hours.

“We are also working with operators to improve gas supply and accelerate repairs to the damaged infrastructure,” he said.

The minister acknowledged the hardship caused by the outages, noting that the disruptions had placed considerable pressure on households and businesses in the affected states.

He apologised to electricity consumers experiencing the interruptions and thanked them for their patience, promising to provide further updates as efforts to restore supply progress.

The latest assurance follows growing public complaints over worsening electricity supply, with residents and businesses in several locations struggling to cope with prolonged outages.

The power crisis has also triggered disagreements between the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Ikeja Electric over the causes of recent supply interruptions.

While Ikeja Electric had cited grid instability in explaining its inability to meet electricity supply obligations to some Band A customers, TCN disputed the explanation, attributing the decline largely to inadequate gas supply and reduced electricity generation.

Tegbe had earlier directed TCN, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to address operational challenges contributing to the decline in power supply.

Nigerians will now be watching closely to see whether the promised improvement materialises within the 48-to-72-hour timeframe.

Power Outage: Tegbe Gives Nigerians 72-Hour Timeline as FG Moves to Restore Electricity

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NDLEA Arraigns Two Mexicans, Four Nigerians Over Secret Meth Lab in Oyo Forest

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NDLEA Arraigns Two Mexicans, Four Nigerians Over Secret Meth Lab in Oyo Forest

NDLEA Arraigns Two Mexicans, Four Nigerians Over Secret Meth Lab in Oyo Forest

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned two Mexican nationals and four Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, over their alleged involvement in the establishment and operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in the state.

The six defendants were arraigned before Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, the establishment of an illegal drug laboratory and the unlawful transportation and distribution of chemicals intended for the production of methamphetamine, a highly addictive psychotropic substance.

The defendants were identified as 56-year-old Mexican national Jose Villa Ochoa; another Mexican, 40-year-old Carrera Loaiza Arturo; and four Nigerians, Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43.

According to the NDLEA, Ochoa and the four Nigerian defendants were arrested on June 17, 2026, in a forested area of Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, where operatives uncovered the clandestine laboratory.

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The second Mexican suspect, Arturo, was subsequently tracked down and arrested on August 19, 2026, while allegedly attempting to flee Nigeria through the Lagos airport.

The agency disclosed that the defendants were accused of conspiring to operate a drug trafficking organisation and establishing a secret laboratory for the production of methamphetamine between December 2025 and June 2026 at different locations in Lagos and Oyo states.

They were also accused of unlawfully transporting and distributing chemical substances for the manufacture of the prohibited drug, contrary to Section 20(1)(f) and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act.

When the charges were read to them in a language they understood, all six defendants pleaded not guilty.

Following their pleas, Justice Maha ordered that they be remanded at the Correctional Centre in Ibadan pending the commencement of their trial.

The court subsequently fixed January 26, 27, 28 and 29, 2027, for the trial.

In a related development, the NDLEA disclosed that three other Mexican nationals and seven Nigerian collaborators arrested over the alleged operation of a similar clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in a forest hideout in Ogun State on May 16, 2026, had also been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

The court reportedly rejected their bail application and ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.

The latest development underscores the NDLEA‘s ongoing efforts to dismantle suspected international drug trafficking networks and prevent Nigeria from becoming a hub for the illicit manufacture of dangerous narcotic substances.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, announced the arraignment in a statement issued on Friday, November 6, 2026.

 

NDLEA Arraigns Two Mexicans, Four Nigerians Over Secret Meth Lab in Oyo Forest

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