By Tola Gbadamosi

The Nigerian Army (NA) has dismissed allegations that its soldiers invaded the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) substation in Badagry, describing the claims as misleading and inaccurate.

The accusation was made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors during an interview with Arise Television on March 18, 2025.

In a statement made available to Weekend Hope, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, clarified that the report failed to present the true picture of events, necessitating a factual correction.

According to the Army, the Badagry community, including Topo Barracks, had endured a prolonged power outage for over a month despite repeated assurances from EKEDC.

“When power was finally restored in the early hours of 14 March 2025, a surge occurred, triggering a fire incident at a facility within the barracks.

“In response, soldiers on duty collaborated with EKEDC personnel to contain the situation.

“EKEDC technicians were granted access to the barracks at about 1am to rectify the fault and successfully completed their work by 2:30am.”

The Army acknowledged that a minor misunderstanding arose between a soldier and an EKEDC staff member during the repairs but stressed that it was immediately and amicably resolved.

The incident, it stated, occurred within the barracks and not at EKEDC’s substation.

“At no time did soldiers invade the company’s premises, nor were any of its staff abducted or detained.”

The NA also highlighted that its Commanding Officer in the area has maintained a longstanding and cordial relationship with EKEDC’s leadership in Badagry.

To ensure transparency, a Board of Inquiry was immediately constituted to investigate the cause of the fire outbreak.

Furthermore, the Army raised concerns about the footage aired by Arise TV during the interview, stating that it depicted an entirely different incident involving non-NA personnel.

It warned that such misleading narratives could create unnecessary tension and misunderstanding.

Reaffirming its commitment to human rights and community relations, the NA assured the public that it remains a professional institution guided by the constitution and will not condone any misconduct against law-abiding citizens.