By Peace Udugba
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has sought stronger collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force to curb the vandalism of power infrastructure, proposing the establishment of a joint task force to protect critical electricity assets across the country.
Tegbe made the call 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 Federal Ministry of Power.
The minister commended the performance of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Disu, particularly in strengthening security across the country. He described the persistent vandalism of power installations as one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity sector, stressing the need for intensified surveillance of critical infrastructure and closer cooperation between the Ministry and the Police.
According to him, protecting transmission lines, substations and other power facilities is essential to sustaining the ongoing reforms in the power sector and improving electricity supply nationwide.
Responding, IGP Disu appreciated the minister for the visit, describing the engagement as a demonstration of the strong partnership required between government institutions.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting critical national infrastructure, including power installations, and pledged to intensify efforts to apprehend and prosecute vandals and other perpetrators of crimes against the power sector.
The Police chief also expressed readiness to work with the Ministry of Power to establish a joint task force dedicated to safeguarding power infrastructure across the country.
He assured the minister of the Force’s full cooperation, noting that power facilities and personnel remain vulnerable to attacks and require sustained security protection.
The meeting underscores the Federal Ministry of Power’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration to secure Nigeria’s power infrastructure, improve energy security and ensure a more reliable electricity supply in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
