The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has rolled out stricter procedures to clamp down on meter bypass and electricity theft across the country, warning that offenders are sabotaging power supply in their own communities.
In a strongly worded statement, the commission declared that every bypassed meter and stolen cable is a direct attack on neighbourhood power stability, stressing that energy theft hurts law-abiding consumers the most.
Under the new framework, distribution companies will be better equipped to detect and eliminate illegal connections, meter tampering and vandalism. NERC said the move is aimed at protecting shared electricity infrastructure while ensuring faster reconnection for compliant customers.
The regulator noted that electricity theft not only disrupts supply but piles financial pressure on honest consumers and weakens the entire power sector.
While vowing to intensify enforcement, NERC assured Nigerians that due process and consumer rights will remain protected. Law-abiding customers, it said, will enjoy clearer guidelines and improved reconnection timelines.
The commission urged residents to safeguard power installations in their areas and report suspicious activities to distribution companies, insisting that curbing energy theft is key to stabilising the grid and improving service delivery nationwide.
POWER THIEVES BEWARE! NERC Unleashes Tough Rules on Meter Bypass, Energy Theft
