The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish a dedicated security unit, known as the “Power Rangers,” to protect the nation’s electricity infrastructure from vandalism. The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the new unit, which will be staffed by officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), aims to tackle the rising incidents of vandalism affecting power installations across Nigeria. This move comes in response to frequent power outages that have been linked to the destruction of key infrastructure.
“We have decided now with the Minister of Power to have what we call the Power Rangers,” Tunji-Ojo said, emphasizing that the unit will be tasked with ensuring the safety and security of power infrastructure nationwide.
“The decision stems from the government’s recognition that the power sector requires a sector-specific security solution rather than a generalized approach to safeguarding national assets.
The creation of the “Power Rangers” follows the success of the government’s introduction of the Mines Marshalls in March 2024, which was implemented to address security challenges in the mining sector. Tunji-Ojo highlighted that the model for the Power Rangers would be similar, designed to provide targeted protection for the power sector.
While the official launch date for the new unit has not been set, the minister revealed that the process of screening and onboarding officers is already underway. The officers will be deployed across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ensure nationwide coverage.
“There is no state without a power infrastructure,” Tunji-Ojo noted, underlining the importance of comprehensive protection for the nation’s energy assets.
The “Power Rangers” initiative is expected to contribute significantly to the long-term stability of Nigeria’s power supply, ensuring that electricity assets are safeguarded from criminal activities that often disrupt service delivery.