On April 12, 2025, residents of Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State staged a protest against a significant hike in electricity tariffs, with two masquerades leading the demonstration. The protest was in response to the community’s reclassification from Band C to Band A by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), resulting in monthly bills increasing from approximately ₦10,000–₦15,000 to as high as ₦47,000.
Protesters argued that the higher charges were unjustified, citing inconsistent power supply and faulty transformers in the area. They demanded a return to Band C billing, replacement of faulty transformers, and a review of IBEDC’s service delivery. The demonstration disrupted major roads, including the Omu-Aran-Kabba and Omu-Aran-Otun-Ekiti highways.
Community leaders, including the President of the Omu-Aran Development Association, Niyi Adeyeye, and the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, have called for calm and assured residents that discussions with IBEDC are underway to address the issues.
