Ikeja Electric Apologises to Customers Over Power Disruptions

Lagos, Nigeria — Nigeria’s leading electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric, has apologised to customers within its network over the persistent power supply disruptions currently affecting many communities.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the company attributed the outages to gas supply constraints impacting electricity generation across the national power grid.

The notice explained that the gas shortage has resulted in a significant energy deficit on the grid, forcing distribution companies to implement increased load shedding across their feeders.

“We sincerely apologize for the ongoing power supply disruptions you are experiencing,” the company said in the statement addressed to customers.

According to the distribution company, the situation is beyond its immediate control as it stems from challenges affecting power generation nationwide. The firm added that it remains in continuous communication with relevant stakeholders in the power sector to resolve the issue and restore normal electricity generation levels.

The company assured customers that efforts are ongoing to stabilize the grid and improve supply as soon as the gas supply situation improves.

Ikeja Electric also appealed for patience and understanding from customers during what it described as a challenging period for the nation’s electricity supply chain.

“We truly appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging period,” the management stated in the notice dated March 11, 2026.

Electricity consumers in Lagos and other areas served by Ikeja Electric have in recent days complained about prolonged blackouts and erratic supply, raising concerns about the stability of power distribution in the region.

Nigeria’s electricity sector has frequently faced generation challenges linked to gas shortages, infrastructure limitations, and grid instability, which often lead to widespread load shedding by distribution companies.

The latest development is expected to further intensify concerns among households and businesses already struggling with high energy costs and unreliable power supply.

Ikeja Electric Apologises to Customers Over Power Disruptions

Terrorists Suffer Heavier Losses as Troops Intensify Operations Across Nigeria — Defence Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), on Wednesday said terrorists and bandits operating across the country are suffering heavier losses than government troops as the Nigerian Armed Forces intensify military operations across several conflict zones.

The defence minister gave the assurance after a strategy meeting with service chiefs in Abuja, noting that the meeting reviewed the country’s counter-terrorism strategy across different operational theatres. According to him, the Armed Forces remain fully committed to restoring peace and security nationwide despite recent attacks on military formations in parts of the country.

“We had a quick, short meeting with members of the services to review our strategy in all our theatres within the country. We’re all aware of the issues on the ground, but I want to assure Nigerians that members of the armed forces are working tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure,” Musa said.

The minister acknowledged that the military had suffered casualties in some engagements but insisted that terrorist groups and bandits were recording heavier losses as troops intensify their operations. According to him, the Nigerian military is focusing on eliminating terrorist commanders, destroying their logistics networks, and dismantling operational bases across the country.

“We are aware that we have suffered some casualties, but I can tell you the terrorists and bandits are taking more. We’re taking more commanders out, we’re taking more of their assets out, and we will continue to do that,” he stated.

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Musa also warned that misinformation circulating on social media could undermine the morale of troops and distort public understanding of the security situation. He urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by unverified narratives about the war against terrorism, insisting that the Armed Forces remain firmly in control of ongoing operations.

“We know because of the issue of social media, there are a lot of falsehoods being spread. The Armed Forces are on top of their game and we are putting in every effort to ensure the country is secured,” he said.

The defence minister further appealed to media organisations to exercise caution in reporting security matters, particularly by avoiding the dissemination of terrorist propaganda materials, which he said are often used to promote extremist groups and demoralise security forces.

“Please do not allow your platforms to be used to spread terrorism. When you circulate their videos and messages, you allow them to shine and use them as propaganda against our troops,” he added.

Musa stressed that tackling insecurity in Nigeria requires a collective effort, urging citizens to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence and reporting suspicious activities in their communities.

“This challenge is a Nigerian challenge; it is not only the armed forces’ challenge. Other security agencies are also working in synergy with us,” he said.

He warned individuals who provide information, logistics or any form of assistance to terrorists that they would be treated as accomplices and face the same consequences as the criminals.

“A friend of a thief is always a thief. Those supporting these criminals with information or logistics will be dealt with the same way we deal with the terrorists,” Musa stated.

The minister also congratulated the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, assuring him of the Armed Forces’ readiness to strengthen collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to combat insecurity across the country.

He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and state governors for their continued support to the military, expressing confidence that Nigeria would ultimately overcome its security challenges.

“We want to assure Nigerians that they should remain confident and determined. When you see something going wrong, do not hesitate to report it. Action will be taken as quickly as possible,” he added.

The minister’s remarks come amid renewed attacks by insurgent groups linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly in Borno State and surrounding areas.

In recent weeks, terrorists have launched coordinated assaults on several military bases, leading to the deaths of soldiers and commanding officers who paid the supreme price while confronting the attackers.

In one such incident in Katsina State, Captain Paul Hassan and two other soldiers were reportedly killed during an attack by terrorists.

Earlier, on March 3, fighters linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP invaded the resettled community of Ngoshe shortly after residents broke their fast during Ramadan. The insurgents reportedly overwhelmed the military formation with superior firepower, including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft machine guns and drones.

Security sources said the assault left at least 14 soldiers dead across the Ngoshe and Pulka military bases—nine in Ngoshe and five in Pulka, including a commanding officer.

Despite the attacks, military authorities say counter-terrorism operations have been intensified through coordinated air and ground offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds and restoring stability in affected regions.

Terrorists Suffer Heavier Losses as Troops Intensify Operations Across Nigeria — Defence Minister

Oil prices rise again after Dangote reduces petrol by N100/litre

Global crude oil prices rebounded sharply on Wednesday, rising by about five per cent after briefly dipping to $88 per barrel the previous day, as escalating tensions in the Middle East continued to unsettle energy markets.

Data from the international market showed that Brent crude climbed to $92.43 per barrel as of 10:56am WAT, representing a 5.27 per cent increase. The benchmark had surged above $100 per barrel earlier in the week amid intensifying hostilities in the region.

The main United States oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, also rose sharply, gaining 5.9 per cent to trade at $88.38 per barrel.

The volatility in global crude prices came a day after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, in Nigeria.

The refinery’s Chief Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, told Channels Television on Tuesday that the gantry price of petrol had been cut by ₦100, dropping from ₦1,175 per litre last week to ₦1,075 per litre.

According to him, petrol supplied through coastal distribution channels will now sell at ₦1,050 per litre.

In a statement explaining the adjustment, the refinery said the price reduction was driven by movements in global crude oil prices.

“As responsible corporate citizens operating in a high-governance code and ethical environment, we believe it is imperative to reduce the price of our products as a reflection of the decline in global crude oil prices,” the company said.

The refinery noted that its crude supply is priced using international benchmarks with an additional premium of between $3 and $6, while foreign exchange payments are made at prevailing market rates without subsidy.

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It added that even crude supplied under the naira-for-crude arrangement is benchmarked against global prices before being converted to naira using the current exchange rate.

The latest price cut marks the first reduction after three consecutive increases that had pushed petrol prices significantly higher in recent weeks.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the refinery, David Bird, said the facility was not insulated from global oil market shocks because its crude purchases are tied to international pricing benchmarks.

The refinery’s move came after crude prices briefly fell to about $90 per barrel on Tuesday — the first decline since the outbreak of the latest Middle East conflict involving the United States, Iran and Israel.

The war has heightened concerns about potential disruptions to global oil supply, triggering sharp swings in crude prices and contributing to rising fuel costs in several countries, including Nigeria.

Speaking on the conflict, Donald Trump said the military campaign was progressing faster than initially expected.

“I think the war is very complete, pretty much. They have no navy, no communications, and they’ve got no air force,” the US President told CBS News in a telephone interview.

Trump added that the United States was “very far ahead” of the initial wartime timeline of about four to five weeks and suggested the conflict could end soon.

“It’s going to be ended soon, and if it starts up again, they’ll be hit even harder,” he said.

Oil prices rise again after Dangote reduces petrol by N100/litre