The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company said it recorded 8,000 cases of energy theft, including meter bypass and illegal meter tampering, between January and October within its network.

The company’s acting Managing Director, Francis Agoha, stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Ota.

Mr Agoha said that the development had resulted in financial losses running into hundreds of millions of naira.

He said that consequent upon the challenge, IBEDC had partnered Special Investigative and Prosecution Task Force to curb energy theft within its network.

According to him, IBEDC is committed to identifying, investigating and prosecuting individuals involved in energy theft. IBEDC has zero-tolerance for energy theft, highlighting the severe consequences for offenders. Also, energy theft is a significant challenge that impacts our ability to provide reliable service to our customers. We are, therefore, intensifying our efforts through partnerships like this to ensure that those who engage in such practices face the full force of the law,” he said.

Mr Agoha said that the partnership with SIPETO to check energy theft would not only enhance its capacity to detect and prosecute offenders but also send a strong message that energy theft would not be tolerated.

According to him, energy theft undermines the integrity of the company’s operations and deprives it of the resources needed to improve service delivery.

The acting managing director urged customers to refrain from any form of energy theft, warning of the severe penalties, including imprisonment, as stipulated by the Electricity Act.

He, however, assured customers that SIPETO patrols were active, vigilant and investigating reported cases thoroughly.

“For more information or to report instances of energy theft, customers are encouraged to contact IBEDC’s customer service line or visit the company’s website: www.ibedc.com,” Mr Agoha said. (NAN)