By Ayomide Otitoju
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has sought closer collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen the protection of the country’s power infrastructure, as part of ongoing efforts to improve electricity supply and curb vandalism.
Tegbe made the appeal on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary and other senior officials of the Ministry of Power.
The minister commended the Police Force for its performance under the current administration and described the vandalism of power infrastructure as a major challenge facing the electricity sector.
He called for increased surveillance of critical power installations and stronger collaboration between the Ministry and the Police to safeguard the nation’s electricity assets.
Responding, IGP Disu welcomed the visit and reaffirmed the Police Force’s commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure, including power facilities.
The police chief pledged continued efforts to strengthen energy security, prosecute vandals and other offenders involved in crimes against the power sector, and expressed readiness to work with the Ministry to establish a Joint Task Force dedicated to protecting power infrastructure.
He also assured the minister of the Force’s full support, noting that power facilities and personnel remain vulnerable to attacks.
The Ministry said the engagement is part of its broader strategy to improve the reliability of Nigeria’s electricity supply through enhanced inter-agency cooperation in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
