The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) says it lost the sum of N1.6 billion of its revenue to energy theft in the second quarter of 2024.

The JEDC Managing Director, Abdu-Bello Mohammed, disclosed this via a statement issued by the company’s spokesperson, Dr Elijah Adakole, on Monday, July 15, 2024.

Mohammed lamented that aside from the heavy revenue losses incurred by the company due to energy theft, there was also the danger of electrocution.

“Energy thefts could lead to loss of lives and properties and hence the nefarious act must be discouraged,” he said.

Kano varsity mulls strike over disconnection from national grid

He said the company initiated a legal measure aimed at ensuring the prosecution of culprits of energy theft, which could lead to five years imprisonment as contained in the 2023 Electricity Act.

Mohammed, however, appealed to members of the public to watch out for criminals who perpetuated the act of vandalism and energy theft and report such persons to law enforcement agencies.

The JEDC boss also called on members of the public not to hesitate to furnish the company with useful information that could track the perpetrators of the nefarious act, saying the company had instituted a whistle-blowers policy with cash rewards.

The Star