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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Gunmen Attack Kwara Power Substation, Hold Workers Hostage

From The Punch · (6m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Armed men invaded the Offa 132kV Transmission Substation in Kwara State, holding workers hostage and forcing a shutdown of critical power feeders.
  • The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) declared force majeure on the substation due to the incident, which involved tampering with control equipment.
  • The TCN has restored power supply gradually after the attack, but the motive behind the gunmen's actions remains unclear.

The recent armed invasion of the Offa 132kV Transmission Substation in Kwara State is a deeply concerning act of sabotage that directly threatens Nigeria's energy security. The audacity of these criminals, who held TCN workers hostage at gunpoint and forced the shutdown of critical power infrastructure, is alarming. This incident, which led the Transmission Company of Nigeria to declare force majeure, highlights the persistent vulnerability of our vital energy assets to criminal elements.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria, Osogbo Region, has declared force majeure on its Offa 132kV Transmission Substation following a robbery incident at the facility.

— Ndidi MbahGeneral Manager, Public Affairs, Transmission Company of Nigeria, announcing the force majeure.

While the TCN has commendably worked to restore power supply, the fact that control equipment was tampered with and the substation was deliberately shut down underscores the severity of this attack. The motive behind this brazen act remains unknown, adding a layer of unease. Such disruptions not only cause inconvenience to citizens but also have significant economic repercussions, hindering industrial activity and daily life. It is imperative that security agencies launch a thorough investigation to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The attackers ordered the operator on duty to open both the Offa and Ojoku 33kV feeders at exactly 12:45 am on Thursday, May 7, 2026. They further demanded a total shutdown of the substation.

— Ndidi MbahDescribing the sequence of events during the invasion of the power substation.

This event serves as a stark reminder of the need for enhanced security measures at our power facilities across the country. Protecting our energy infrastructure is paramount to ensuring stable electricity supply, which is fundamental to national development and the well-being of our citizens. We must not allow criminal elements to hold our nation's power supply hostage. Swift and decisive action is required to prevent future occurrences and safeguard this critical sector.

During the incident, control switches and relay buttons were tampered with, and the 40MVA transformer was opened at approximately 1:07 am.

— Ndidi MbahDetailing the damage and interference caused by the armed men at the substation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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