ICADAR Questions Military Assault on Ikeja Electric, Demands Justice

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In a shocking display of power and lawlessness, armed military personnel, allegedly led by an Air Vice Marshal, stormed the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company’s (IKEDC) headquarters in Lagos on Thursday morning, with the alleged invasion, which resulted in the assault of innocent employees, including pregnant women, being strongly condemned as an egregious abuse of power by the Impacthive Centre for Accountability, Democracy, and Rights (ICADAR).

ICADAR, a leading advocacy group, issued a strongly worded statement decrying the actions of the Air Force personnel. “Nigeria is not a jungle; it is a nation governed by laws, principles, and respect for human rights,” said Bello Ishaq, ICADAR’s Executive Director. The group emphasized that this act undermines the rule of law and instills fear in the communities the military is meant to protect.

Describing the incident as a “dangerous precedent” and a systemic failure in governance and accountability, ICADAR called on the Nigerian government and military leadership to launch an immediate investigation. They demand that those responsible be identified, held accountable, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. “No individual or group is above the law,” ICADAR asserted, highlighting that the misuse of force within a corporate environment is both unjustifiable and deeply concerning.

The advocacy group also urged for structural reforms to prevent such incidents from recurring. “All citizens deserve protection from unlawful violence, irrespective of the perpetrators’ uniform,” the statement concluded.

As the nation reels from this event, many are calling for broader conversations about military accountability and the protection of human rights, ICADAR has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and advocate for justice in the wake of this alarming act.

In its words, the centre said, “It is with deep concern that we learned of fully armed Air Force personnel, reportedly led by an Air Vice Marshal, launching a violent invasion of a corporate office, resulting in the assault of innocent workers, including pregnant women. Such flagrant breaches of conduct by military personnel not only undermine the rule of law but also instill fear in the communities they are meant to serve.

“We wish to reiterate that Nigeria is not a jungle; it is a nation governed by laws, principles, and respect for human rights. The unprovoked aggression demonstrated by these military personnel contradicts the very values we strive to uphold as citizens of this great nation.

“The principle of legality demands that all actions, especially those taken by state actors, must conform to established legal standards and respect the rights and dignity of every Nigerian citizen.

“This reckless conduct is not only an abuse of power but an affront to the principles of accountability, democracy, and human dignity for which we stand.

“ICADAR firmly believes that no individual or group is above the law, and this incident reflects a dangerous precedent in the way military personnel interact with civilians. The use of force in a corporate environment is not only unjustifiable but reveals systemic failures in governance and accountability within our armed forces.”

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