Tension flared in Omu-Aran, a community in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Friday as two masquerades led a youth protest against what residents described as outrageous electricity bills.
The demonstration was sparked by the community’s sudden reclassification from Band C to Band A in the electricity billing system administered by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
Protesters, mostly youths, gathered at Bareke Roundabout, chanting and waving placards with bold messages such as “Omu-Aran says no to Band A,” “Bring us back to Band C,” and “Omu-Aran youths have spoken loudly.” A video circulating on social media showed the masquerades at the forefront of the protest, drawing attention to the community’s frustration and deepening anger over increased charges.
Residents claim that the unexpected migration to Band A is directly responsible for the sharp rise in electricity bills received in March 2025. They argue that the decision was imposed without proper consultation and does not reflect the quality or consistency of power supply to the area.
Their outrage follows the federal government’s announcement on April 3, 2024, approving a new electricity tariff for Band A customers. Under the revised structure, Band A customers are entitled to a minimum of 20 hours of power supply daily and are billed at N209 per kilowatt-hour.
Meanwhile, Band B and Band C customers—who receive 16 and 12 hours of electricity, respectively—continue to pay significantly less, with Band B still charged N63 per kilowatt-hour.
Protesters insist that Omu-Aran does not receive the promised 20 hours of electricity and therefore should not be billed at the Band A rate. They say the reclassification has imposed unnecessary financial pressure on residents and demand an immediate return to Band C.
The protest has reignited broader concerns about transparency and fairness in Nigeria’s electricity billing system, as affected communities push back against what they see as exploitative practices.
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