The Federal Government has intensified efforts to protect Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure, with the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, seeking stronger collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force to combat vandalism and other crimes threatening the power sector.
Tegbe made the move on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he called for enhanced security measures around critical power installations across the country.
The minister, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary and senior officials of the Ministry of Power, said the protection of electricity infrastructure was critical to sustaining ongoing reforms and improving power supply nationwide.
He commended the Nigeria Police Force for its performance under the leadership of IGP Disu, noting that the force had played a significant role in maintaining national security.
Tegbe identified the persistent vandalisation of power infrastructure as one of the major challenges affecting the stability of the electricity sector, stressing the need for increased surveillance and coordinated action to protect critical assets.
He called for deeper cooperation between the Ministry of Power and the police to safeguard transmission lines, substations and other strategic facilities from criminal attacks.
Responding, the Inspector-General of Police thanked the minister for the visit, describing the engagement as a demonstration of the importance of partnership between security agencies and critical government institutions.
Disu assured the Ministry of the Police Force’s commitment to protecting national infrastructure, particularly power assets that are essential to the country’s economic development and energy security.
He said the police would support efforts to prevent attacks on power facilities and ensure that vandals and other offenders involved in crimes against the power sector face prosecution.
The IGP also expressed readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Power to establish a dedicated task force focused on protecting electricity infrastructure nationwide.
He assured the minister of the force’s full cooperation, noting that power sector facilities and personnel remained vulnerable due to the strategic importance of the assets they manage.
The meeting forms part of ongoing government efforts to strengthen inter-agency coordination and secure critical infrastructure under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The proposed joint task force is expected to improve surveillance, enhance rapid response to threats and support the government’s drive to achieve a more reliable and sustainable electricity supply for Nigerians.
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