Two arrested in Abia for tampering with electricity meters

Prepaid meters

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Security operatives, in collaboration with the Feeder Team of Aba Power Distribution Company, have arrested two suspects involved in illegal meter tampering in Aba, Abia State.

The suspects were apprehended on Orji Street, off Umule Road, following overwhelming evidence linking them to energy theft, a crime that undermines electricity security in the Aba ring-fenced area.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the Chief Operating Officer of Aba Power, Blessing Ogbe, who noted that the arrests were part of the company’s ongoing crackdown on energy theft across nine local government areas under its coverage in Abia State.

Ogbe said, “Aba Power, Nigeria’s newest electricity distribution company, has intensified its efforts to combat energy theft. Our Feeder Team, in collaboration with security agencies, has arrested two individuals involved in illegal meter tampering.”

One of the suspects, Isak Adamu, an electrician, was arrested after weeks of surveillance revealed his role in multiple cases of meter tampering.

The second suspect, Udeme James, confessed during interrogation that he had been paying Adamu ₦7,000 monthly to manipulate his meter, preventing accurate energy consumption readings.

A police officer involved in the case, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said further investigations showed Adamu’s connection to a broader network of clients benefiting from his illegal services.

“He is cooperating with us to identify and prosecute other individuals who hired him for meter tampering,” the officer added.

Aba Power’s COO, Ogbe, expressed disappointment in both the electrician and the customer for defrauding the company, emphasising that stricter measures would be implemented to curb energy theft.

“We will intensify the monitoring of prepaid meters to ensure energy theft is eradicated and revenue is protected. Legal action will be swiftly taken against offenders in line with the 2023 Electricity Act,” Ogbe said.

She urged the public to support Aba Power by reporting individuals involved in such criminal activities, highlighting that energy theft negatively affects both the company and its customers.

Ogbe also praised the Nigerian Police Force, particularly the World Bank Police Station, Abayi, Aba, for their role in the investigation and the successful arrests.

This development comes shortly after the Group Managing Director of Geometric Power Group, Agatha Nnaji, lamented the rising rates of energy theft and vandalism during a recent Customer Service Week event.

Nnaji assured customers that the company is making progress in resolving gas supply challenges affecting turbine operations and is committed to improving the power supply in the Aba ring-fenced area.

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