Power Outage: Tegbe Gives Nigerians 72-Hour Timeline as FG Moves to Restore Electricity

ABUJA – Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has assured Nigerians that electricity supply will begin to improve within the next 48 to 72 hours as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to address the challenges responsible for the recent power outages across parts of the country.

Tegbe gave the assurance in an update on the country’s power situation amid growing complaints from electricity consumers over prolonged blackouts, particularly in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.

The minister attributed the worsening electricity supply to a combination of planned maintenance at Egbin Power Station, inadequate gas supply to some thermal power plants and sabotage of critical transmission lines.

According to him, the challenges have reduced the volume of electricity available on the national grid, forcing grid operators to implement load shedding in some areas to manage the shortfall.

He explained that maintenance activities at Egbin Power Station, one of Nigeria’s major electricity-generating facilities, had contributed significantly to the reduction in power generation.

The minister also identified gas supply constraints affecting some thermal power stations as another factor responsible for the decline in electricity generation.

Tegbe further alleged that sabotage of key transmission lines had restricted the use of alternative routes for supplying electricity to some locations, particularly Lagos.

He said the Federal Government was working with relevant operators to address the challenges and restore the affected generating units in phases.

“My team and I are working to return the affected generating units to service in phases, with the first units coming back online within the next 48 to 72 hours.

“We are also working with operators to improve gas supply and accelerate repairs to the damaged infrastructure,” he said.

The minister acknowledged the hardship caused by the outages, noting that the disruptions had placed considerable pressure on households and businesses in the affected states.

He apologised to electricity consumers experiencing the interruptions and thanked them for their patience, promising to provide further updates as efforts to restore supply progress.

The latest assurance follows growing public complaints over worsening electricity supply, with residents and businesses in several locations struggling to cope with prolonged outages.

The power crisis has also triggered disagreements between the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Ikeja Electric over the causes of recent supply interruptions.

While Ikeja Electric had cited grid instability in explaining its inability to meet electricity supply obligations to some Band A customers, TCN disputed the explanation, attributing the decline largely to inadequate gas supply and reduced electricity generation.

Tegbe had earlier directed TCN, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to address operational challenges contributing to the decline in power supply.

Nigerians will now be watching closely to see whether the promised improvement materialises within the 48-to-72-hour timeframe.

Power Outage: Tegbe Gives Nigerians 72-Hour Timeline as FG Moves to Restore Electricity

NDLEA Arraigns Two Mexicans, Four Nigerians Over Secret Meth Lab in Oyo Forest

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned two Mexican nationals and four Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, over their alleged involvement in the establishment and operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in the state.

The six defendants were arraigned before Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, the establishment of an illegal drug laboratory and the unlawful transportation and distribution of chemicals intended for the production of methamphetamine, a highly addictive psychotropic substance.

The defendants were identified as 56-year-old Mexican national Jose Villa Ochoa; another Mexican, 40-year-old Carrera Loaiza Arturo; and four Nigerians, Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43.

According to the NDLEA, Ochoa and the four Nigerian defendants were arrested on June 17, 2026, in a forested area of Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, where operatives uncovered the clandestine laboratory.

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The second Mexican suspect, Arturo, was subsequently tracked down and arrested on August 19, 2026, while allegedly attempting to flee Nigeria through the Lagos airport.

The agency disclosed that the defendants were accused of conspiring to operate a drug trafficking organisation and establishing a secret laboratory for the production of methamphetamine between December 2025 and June 2026 at different locations in Lagos and Oyo states.

They were also accused of unlawfully transporting and distributing chemical substances for the manufacture of the prohibited drug, contrary to Section 20(1)(f) and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act.

When the charges were read to them in a language they understood, all six defendants pleaded not guilty.

Following their pleas, Justice Maha ordered that they be remanded at the Correctional Centre in Ibadan pending the commencement of their trial.

The court subsequently fixed January 26, 27, 28 and 29, 2027, for the trial.

In a related development, the NDLEA disclosed that three other Mexican nationals and seven Nigerian collaborators arrested over the alleged operation of a similar clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in a forest hideout in Ogun State on May 16, 2026, had also been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

The court reportedly rejected their bail application and ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.

The latest development underscores the NDLEA‘s ongoing efforts to dismantle suspected international drug trafficking networks and prevent Nigeria from becoming a hub for the illicit manufacture of dangerous narcotic substances.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, announced the arraignment in a statement issued on Friday, November 6, 2026.

NDLEA Arraigns Two Mexicans, Four Nigerians Over Secret Meth Lab in Oyo Forest

Tinubu’s Visit: One Feared Dead, Several Injured as APC Women’s Bus Collides With Security Vehicle in Uyo

UYO, Akwa Ibom State – A tragic road accident involving a bus conveying supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly claimed one life and left several others injured in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The accident occurred on Friday, November 6, when the bus, reportedly conveying APC women to participate in activities marking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the state, collided with a security vehicle along Oron Road.

The incident happened amid heightened security arrangements for the President’s visit to Akwa Ibom, where he was scheduled to commission several projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration and attend political activities.

According to reports, the bus, identified as belonging to the Akwa Ibom State Transport Corporation (AKTC), was conveying the women towards the reception venue when it collided with a Toyota Hilux security vehicle.

The impact reportedly left the bus badly damaged, triggering panic as passers-by, motorists and security personnel rushed to assist the victims.

A video circulating on social media showed the wreckage of the bus at the accident scene, with people gathering around the damaged vehicle as rescue efforts continued.

The injured victims were reportedly evacuated and taken to hospitals in Uyo for medical attention.

The Guardian reported that one person had died in the accident, while several others sustained injuries. However, another local media report said no death had been confirmed as of the time of its publication.

The exact casualty figure and the identities of the victims had yet to be officially established.

The accident has raised concerns about the safety of transportation arrangements for political supporters mobilised to participate in high-profile presidential events.

President Tinubu arrived in Akwa Ibom on Friday as part of a two-state visit to Akwa Ibom and Rivers states. His itinerary included the inauguration of major infrastructure projects and engagement with political stakeholders.

As of the time of filing this report, further details about the circumstances surrounding the collision and the condition of the injured victims were still emerging.

Tinubu’s Visit: One Feared Dead, Several Injured as APC Women’s Bus Collides With Security Vehicle in Uyo