A Nigerian electricity company, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, said electricity theft is worse than a kidnapper.

The disco disclosed this in a notice rendered in ‘Pidgin’ English on Friday through its X account.

According to the Disco, electricity metre bypass or tampering is a grave disservice to the community.

“Person wey dey bypass light, worse pass kidnapper. You will soon understand why,” the disco stated.

BEDC raised concerns amid a surge in electricity theft in its franchise areas in Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti and the country as a whole.

In February 2025, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission tightened its sanction against energy theft with a N100,000 to N300,000 fine on offenders.