A sudden and devastating power outage has struck the city of Birnin Kebbi and surrounding communities in Kebbi State, Nigeria, leaving residents and businesses in a state of uncertainty. The blackout, which occurred over the weekend, was caused by the collapse of three transmission towers near Yauri town, significantly disrupting the power supply to the! region.
According to Abdulazeez Abdullahi, Head of Corporate Communication at the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KADECO), the collapse of the towers has resulted in an unstable power supply, with entire neighborhoods experiencing extended periods of darkness. “We regret to inform you of the current epileptic power supply in your areas,” Abdullahi stated. “This is due to the unfortunate incident involving the collapse of three transmission towers near Yauri town.”
The power outage has already begun to take a toll on local businesses, particularly those that rely on electricity to operate. Malam Idris Suleiman, a trader in the Bayan Kara area of the capital, expressed his frustration with the situation. “This is a serious problem for us. We were not even informed on time. My freezer has been off since Sunday morning, and I’m already counting losses,” he lamented.
Residents are also growing increasingly concerned about their safety, with rumors circulating about a loud sound being heard around the Yauri axis before the blackout. Hadiza Usman, a local resident, voiced her fears. “There was a rumor that a loud sound was heard around the Yauri axis before the blackout. We are scared because this is unusual. The government must act fast,” she said.
In response to the crisis, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has mobilized contractors to begin the re-erection of the fallen towers. Meanwhile, Kaduna Electric is rationing limited supply from the Kaduna axis to keep critical infrastructure running. The company remains hopeful that the work will be completed as soon as possible.
As the temperature in the state continues to rise, residents and community leaders are calling on both the state and federal governments to intervene urgently to prevent further hardship. The situation highlights the need for reliable and efficient power supply systems, particularly in regions where electricity is crucial for daily operations. With the affected communities waiting anxiously for a resolution, it remains to be seen how quickly the authorities can respond to this crisis and restore power to the region.
