The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, has arrested two men over alleged conspiracy, electricity meter tampering and illegal power vending.
The state command’s spokesperson, ASCI Kehinde Adeleke, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, that the suspects — Babatunde, 46, and Akin, 40 — were apprehended following a complaint involving a prepaid meter belonging to a customer of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
According to the State Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo, the case came to light after the customer noticed that his prepaid meter developed a fault that prevented him from loading electricity units. He subsequently contacted an electrician, Babatunde, who assured him the issue would be fixed.
Investigations later revealed that Babatunde was unable to repair the meter and sought the assistance of Akin, a former IBEDC staff member in the state.
In his confessional statement, Babatunde admitted that the meter was unlawfully reprogrammed and 200 electricity units were credited to it without payment.
The irregularity was later detected by IBEDC during routine monitoring, prompting the company to alert the NSCDC Osun State Command for investigation and appropriate action.
Commandant Sotiyo cautioned electricians and other technical service providers against engaging in meter tampering, illegal electricity vending or any activity capable of undermining the nation’s critical infrastructure.
He stressed that the Corps remains committed to safeguarding national assets, including power installations, and will ensure that offenders are prosecuted.
He added that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations and urged residents to report suspicious activities involving electricity meters or other public infrastructure to the nearest NSCDC office.
