Ondo State Police Command has begun an investigation into a suspected arson attack that razed a prepaid meter warehouse in Okitipupa, destroying equipment valued at over ₦10 million.
Police spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
According to Ayanlade, the incident is being treated as a serious criminal act.
> “We have launched investigation into the arson incident on the prepaid meter warehouse,” he stated. “The public should be rest assured that the culprits will face the law after the conclusion of our investigation.”
The affected facility, owned by Active Achievers Nigeria Limited, is one of the Meter Asset Providers (MAP) accredited under the O’DATIWA Metering Scheme — an initiative of the Ondo State Government aimed at ending estimated electricity billing.
The warehouse, located along Barracks Road in Okitipupa, reportedly housed more than 100 units of Active Energy Prepaid Meters before the fire gutted the building on Monday.
Speaking on the incident, the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Henry Akinbola-Oyinbo, expressed deep concern over the loss and hinted at possible foul play.
> “We were informed early in the morning that a raging fire was consuming our warehouse.
Our Active Energy Prepaid Meters, though the best and most affordable in the market, are not inflammable, and as such could not have caught fire without someone deliberately setting it ablaze,” he said.
He described the destruction as “devastating,” lamenting that some individuals appeared bent on sabotaging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s efforts to eliminate estimated billing in the state.
> “Most disheartening is the commendable initiative of Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to end estimated billing for energy consumers in Ondo State through the O’Datiwa Metering Scheme, which some bad elements appear determined to frustrate,” Akinbola-Oyinbo added.
He urged security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those behind the attack.
