The Ondo State Police Command has launched an investigation into a reported arson attack on a warehouse in Okitipupa, which resulted in the destruction of prepaid electricity meters valued at over ₦10 million.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a phone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.

He described the attack on the prepaid meter warehouse as a serious crime and warned that those responsible would face justice.

“We have launched investigation into the arson incident at the prepaid meter warehouse.

“The public should be assured that the culprits will face the law after the conclusion of our investigation,” Ayanlade said.

It was earlier reported that a warehouse belonging to Active Achievers Nigeria Limited, one of the Meter Asset Providers accredited by the Ondo State Government to supply prepaid meters under the O’DATIWA Metering Scheme, was set on fire on Monday by unknown individuals.

The warehouse, located on Barracks Road in Okitipupa, reportedly contained over 100 Active Energy Prepaid Meters valued at ₦10 million, all of which were destroyed in the blaze.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Active Achievers Nigeria Limited, Mr. Henry Akinbola-Oyinbo, told pressmen that local residents were unable to salvage any items from the warehouse because of the intensity of the fire.

“Our Active Energy Prepaid Meters, though the best and most affordable in the market at the moment, are not inflammable, and as such could not have caught fire without someone deliberately setting it ablaze.

“This is so devastating that agents of darkness could strike in this manner.

“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,” he lamented.