Who’s Stealing Your Light? The Hidden Cost of Vandalism and Energy Theft

Imagine coming home after a long day, flipping the switch, and being met with darkness. Your neighbours have the same problem, and frustration sets in. The first thought that comes to mind is, “AEDC has done it again!” But what if the real reason for the blackout isn’t the power company? What if someone in your neighbourhood is stealing your light?

Across communities, a silent crisis is growing—vandalism and energy theft. These acts don’t just affect the electricity company; they affect you, your family, your business, and your future. It takes only minutes for vandals to cut a power line or steal transformer oil, but the damage can last for weeks. When transformers are vandalised, entire neighbourhoods are plunged into darkness, businesses shut down, and homes are left in chaos. Instead of investing in better service and infrastructure, resources are wasted on fixing what should never have been broken in the first place.

Beyond the vandals who strike in the dead of night or even in broad day light, there are others silently sabotaging the power system—those who bypass meters, make illegal connections, or refuse to pay their bills. It may seem like a small act, but collectively, energy theft overloads transformers, disrupts load management, and contributes to frequent blackouts. It’s like a communal water supply: if everyone takes only what they pay for, the supply remains steady. But if some start syphoning illegally, soon there won’t be enough for everyone. In the end, paying customers suffer the most.

Many people assume that vandalism and energy theft only hurt the electricity company, but the reality is far worse. When revenue is lost due to theft or when millions are spent on repairing vandalised infrastructure, the financial burden spreads across everyone. This means higher bills, more load shedding, frustrating voltage fluctuations and unstable power supply. Communities with high Aggregate Technical, Commercial, and Collection (ATC&C) Losses often experience more blackouts because there isn’t enough recovered revenue to maintain and expand the power supply.

The power to stop this cycle lies with all of us. If you see someone tampering with a meter, making an illegal connection, or vandalising power installations, don’t look away—report it. Many of these activities happen in broad daylight, but silence only allows them to continue. Communities that take a stand against vandalism and energy theft enjoy better, more stable electricity. It’s not just the job of the electricity company to protect infrastructure; it’s the responsibility of everyone who benefits from the power supply.

If you suspect electricity theft, vandalism, or any fraudulent activities, report them through our whistleblowing channels:

• Toll-Free Hotline: 0800-TIP-OFFS (08008476337)
• Email: tip-offs@deloitte.com.ng
• Web Portal: Deloitte Tip-offs Portal
• Mobile App: Download the Deloitte Tip-offs Anonymous App on Play Store or Apple

By speaking up and acting against these threats, we move one step closer to reliable electricity, fair billing, and a system that works for everyone.

Remember, every watt counts. Let’s power the world, together!