Tension flared in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, as residents staged a dramatic protest against skyrocketing electricity bills and the abrupt shift in their community’s billing classification from Band C to Band A. Led by two masquerades, the protesters converged at Bareke Roundabout, chanting war songs and wielding placards with bold inscriptions such as “Omu-Aran Says No to Band A” and “Bring Us Back to Band C.”

The protesters marched through major areas, including Olomu Market, Latinwo Market, the Olomu Palace, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) district office. According to the protesters, the recent migration to Band A has led to exorbitant charges for March 2025, with bills spiking from ₦10,000 to ₦15,000 to between ₦41,000 and ₦47,000.

The community outlined a list of urgent demands, including the reversal from Band A back to Band C, replacement of faulty transformers, improved electricity supply, suspension and review of the current Band A charges, and an immediate end to overdraft billing on prepaid meters. The protesters also called for an independent review of IBEDC’s service delivery in the area to determine the proper tariff classification.

The President of the Omu-Aran Development Association, Niyi Adeyeye, signed a statement on behalf of the community, emphasizing their determination to seek justice. “We want IBEDC to reverse the Band A classification and bring us back to Band C, replace faulty transformers, and improve electricity supply across the town,” Adeyeye stated.

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, received the protesters at his palace and appealed for calm, assuring them that community leaders were already in talks with IBEDC to resolve the matter. However, the protesters vowed to sustain their agitation until tangible action is taken.