“We understand that the economic situation is difficult, but that should not justify destroying facilities designed to improve our quality of life,” Anyaegbunam advised.

He urged the youths to see power infrastructure as a shared asset, stressing that its protection must be a collective responsibility.

“Communities cannot experience meaningful development without access to electricity. Power is essential to our daily lives,” he added.

Speaking at the event, a youth leader from one of the communities, Mr Isaiah Sunday, affirmed the readiness of local youths to partner with the government to prevent further attacks on power installations, advocating for the formation of surveillance teams within host communities to safeguard transmission facilities.

“We understand that the federal government has provided this infrastructure to improve lives and economic wellbeing. The establishment of surveillance teams will ensure both community leaders and youths are actively involved in protecting these power assets from vandals,” he said.