The Federal Government has announced plans to create a special security team to protect electricity infrastructure from vandalism and sabotage.
The new unit, which will be known as the “Power Rangers,” will be made up of officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and will focus on securing power installations across the country.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, explained that the initiative is necessary to address the rising cases of vandalism affecting the power sector. He said the government is determined to ensure that critical electricity assets are safeguarded to provide a more stable power supply to Nigerians.
“We have agreed with the Minister of Power to introduce what we call the Power Rangers,” Tunji-Ojo said.
Vandalism of electricity infrastructure has been a major challenge in Nigeria, often leading to prolonged blackouts in many parts of the country. The destruction of the infrastructures, especially transmission lines, has not only disrupted electricity supply but has also cost the government billions of naira in repairs.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the decision to form the Power Rangers was inspired by the success of the Mines Marshalls, a security unit set up by the government in March 2024 to tackle illegal mining and protect mineral resources.
He said, “What we had before we (the Bola Tinubu administration) came was the generalisation of national assets. But we said no, you cannot have one specific medication that can treat all illnesses,” he said.
“So you have to analyse every sector, the power sector, the water sector, the education sector, the health sector… and be able to create arms of Civil Defence under the same umbrella.”
While the minister did not provide a specific date for the official launch of the Power Rangers, he assured Nigerians that work is already underway to recruit and train officers for the unit.
““We’ve already agreed on the modus operandi and as I speak to you, the offices are being screened,” he said. “Don’t forget that we are going to have officers in all 36 states plus the FCT because there is no state without a power infrastructure; it is just like the solid mineral sector.”
He added that the screening process includes evaluating officers’ physical fitness, competence, and area of specialization to ensure that only the best personnel are selected for the task.
