Energy thief apprehended in Kaduna night raid
Written by Adeola Ibrahim on November 30, 2023
Kaduna Electric executed a night raid on November 24, 2023, and apprehended one Mr. Opafola Abiodun of No. 18 Mopa Road, Kaduna.
Abiodun, who is alleged to be tapping electricity from the 11KV Leventis Feeder, was caught in the act by an external by-pass on meter number 04190482713.
According to the HoU Non-MD Metering, Engr. U. A. Gumel, he was disconnected from the power supply on September 28, 2023, and charged with a total sum of N104, 823.18.
The booking letter, duly acknowledged by Abubakar with GSM: 07056646853 on November 29, 2023, serves as a legal document confirming the charges.
Gumel explained that instead of settling the outstanding amount, Abiodun resorted to illegal reconnection during the evening and night hours.
Surveillance personnel on a routine monitoring operation were said to have caught him red-handed on November 24, 2023, prompting the action, while the matter was reported to the police, resulting in the arrest of the energy theft offender.
He further explained, “The case is currently under the jurisdiction of Kaduna Electric’s security unit, preparing for prosecution. In response to the repeated offenses, a second charge of ₦92,774.39 has been booked against Mr. Abiodun in accordance with the ORDER ON UNAUTHORISED ACCESS, METER TAMPERING, AND BY-PASS ORDER NO: NERC/REG/41/2017.”
