Power Outage Hits Five States, Niger Republic as TCN Begins Transmission Line Repairs

Abuja, Nigeria – The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced that Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and parts of Bauchi and Yobe states, as well as consumers in Niger Republic, will experience a temporary power outage on Sunday as the company prepares to carry out work on a major transmission line serving the region. According to a statement signed by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the scheduled work, which will commence from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on May 31, 2026, is aimed at facilitating critical repair works on the Mando–Kumbotso 330kV Transmission Line, a key infrastructure component of the nation’s power transmission network. Mbah said TCN’s maintenance crew will carry out its annual maintenance exercise on the transmission line and simultaneously repair a damaged Red Phase Conductor located on Tower T187 along the route. She added that the maintenance work is necessary to ensure the continued reliability and stability of power supply across the affected region.

“The outage is necessary to enable TCN’s maintenance crew to repair a damaged Red Phase Conductor on Tower T187 along the line route. The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) , as a result of the maintenance exercise, will be unable to receive bulk electricity supply from TCN for onward distribution to customers during the period of the outage. The maintenance work is expected to affect electricity consumers in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states, as well as several communities in Bauchi and Yobe states. Also, customers in Gazaoua, Niger Republic, will experience a temporary loss of power. The company, however, called for consumers’ understanding while carrying out the maintenance work, assuring them that normal electricity supply would be restored immediately after the completion of the maintenance and repair works. TCN apologises for any inconvenience this will cause consumers in the affected areas,” the statement concluded.

The planned outage is scheduled to commence at 9:00 a.m. and end by 4:00 p.m., creating a seven-hour disruption across the affected areas. According to TCN, the maintenance operation will involve the replacement and amendment of a damaged Red Phase Conductor on Tower T187 located along the transmission corridor. As a result of the work, the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) will temporarily be unable to receive electricity from the national grid for distribution to customers across Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states, while some parts of Bauchi and Yobe states will also experience power cuts. The company further stated that communities in Gazaoua, located in the Republic of Niger and connected to Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure, would equally be affected. The full list of affected areas includes Kano State (all KEDCO customers), Katsina State (all KEDCO customers), Jigawa State (all KEDCO customers), Bauchi State (several communities, partial), Yobe State (several communities, partial), and Gazaoua, Niger Republic (complete loss of power during maintenance).

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TCN explained that the maintenance is critical to ensuring the continued reliability and stability of power supply across the affected region. The damaged conductor on Tower T187 requires immediate attention to prevent more serious technical failures that could trigger prolonged blackouts in the future. The annual maintenance exercise also allows TCN engineers to inspect and service the transmission line to forestall future disruptions. Energy experts maintain that such maintenance work is necessary for long-term stability, although they acknowledge that repeated outages continue to strain households and businesses that rely heavily on power for daily operations.

The announcement of the scheduled outage coincides with the release of the African Development Bank’s 2026 African Economic Outlook report, which highlighted the heavy toll of Nigeria’s chronic electricity shortages on businesses. According to the AfDB report, more than 70 per cent of firms in Nigeria now rely on generators, and power disruptions wipe out an estimated three per cent of annual sales. “Electricity outage losses amount to three per cent of annual sales in Nigeria, and because of this, generator reliance is widespread, with 70.7 per cent of firms in Nigeria owning or sharing generators,” the report stated. The AfDB warned that Nigeria’s power deficit reflects deeper structural and governance challenges that are forcing businesses and households to shoulder costs typically borne by the state. For millions of residents in the affected states, the seven-hour blackout means businesses will lose productive hours, households will be without power for cooking, cooling, and other daily activities, and those who can afford it will turn to expensive petrol or diesel generators. Small business owners, particularly those in the informal sector who rely on electricity for welding, tailoring, food processing, and phone charging, are likely to bear the brunt of the disruption.

The scheduled outage comes at a sensitive period for Nigeria’s electricity sector, which has been under increasing scrutiny following recent assurances by the newly appointed Minister of Power that Nigerians would begin to witness measurable improvements in electricity supply within two weeks. The planned outage also comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to address frequent grid collapses. The Presidential Adviser on Power, Mr Lanre Babalola, recently met with NISO management to fashion out a permanent solution to grid disturbances, emphasising the importance of prudent resource management and enhanced operational discipline. The new Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, who was recently nominated by President Bola Tinubu following the exit of Adebayo Adelabu during the cabinet reshuffle, has pledged to improve grid stability, modernise electricity infrastructure, strengthen commercial operations and ensure accountability across the power value chain. During his Senate screening, Tegbe reportedly assured lawmakers that Nigerians would see visible improvement in the sector, though he clarified that broader reforms could take up to one year to implement. The government has also been implementing the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) , popularly known as the Siemens deal, to strengthen the national grid and reduce system disturbances.

While TCN stated that the maintenance is expected to last between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., the company assured that normal electricity supply would be restored immediately after the completion of the maintenance and repair works. Sunday’s planned outage may test public patience, even though TCN insists the interruption is necessary to prevent more serious technical failures. The company appealed to affected consumers for understanding and apologised for the inconvenience the temporary outage may cause. Key facts from the announcement include the following: the date of the outage is Sunday, May 31, 2026; the time is 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (seven hours); the affected states in Nigeria are Kano, Katsina, Jigawa (fully affected), and Bauchi and Yobe (partially affected); the affected area in Niger Republic is Gazaoua; the transmission line involved is the Mando–Kumbotso 330kV Transmission Line; the reason for the outage is repair of a damaged Red Phase Conductor on Tower T187 plus annual maintenance; the distribution company affected is the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO); and power restoration is expected immediately after completion of maintenance, estimated at 4:00 p.m.

Power Outage Hits Five States, Niger Republic as TCN Begins Transmission Line Repairs

Oyo Boils as Teachers Strike, Protesters Demand Freedom for Abducted Pupils

Ibadan, Oyo State – Residents of Oyo State have taken to the streets to demand the immediate release of dozens of school children and teachers who were kidnapped in the Oriire Local Government Area. The development follows a directive from the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) , which ordered all public primary and secondary school teachers across Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike starting Monday, June 1, 2026. The industrial action comes more than two weeks after heavily armed men launched a coordinated raid on May 15, targeting three schools in the Ogbomoso area: Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, along with Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele. The attackers took away 39 students, some as young as two years old, and seven teachers, including Mrs. Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Esiele. One teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed during the attack, while a two-year-old child, Christianah Akanbi, remains among those kidnapped. The victims have now been in captivity for over two weeks.

Members of the Take-It-Back Movement, on Monday, stormed the Oyo State Government House, Ibadan, to protest worsening insecurity and the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. The protesters defied heavy rainfall as they marched through parts of the state capital, demanding urgent action from the state government and security agencies. According to reports, they had earlier converged on Mokola Roundabout before proceeding to the Government House, where they called for improved security across schools, roads and communities in the state. Despite the downpour, the demonstrators said they would not abandon the protest because the lives of abducted pupils, teachers and other residents were at stake. They chanted solidarity songs and carried placards with inscriptions calling on the government to act quickly against kidnapping and violent attacks in the state. Some of the placards read, “Bring Back Our Children,” “Security for all, not for a few,” “End kidnapping in Oyo State now,” “Safer roads and communities now,” and “Protect farmers, traders and students.” The protesters described the march as a civic duty, saying silence in the face of rising insecurity would amount to abandoning affected families. They urged the state government to strengthen security around schools and vulnerable communities, particularly in areas that have recently come under attack. One of the demonstrators, Femi Adeyeye, said the rally was intended to draw urgent attention to the plight of the abducted victims and the broader security challenges facing residents. According to him, kidnappings and violent attacks have become increasingly common, while citizens continue to live in fear.

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Teachers in public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State on Monday began an indefinite strike to protest the kidnap of teachers and pupils. A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored the strike in public schools in Ibadan reports full compliance with the indefinite strike. Some of the schools visited included Anglican Junior Secondary School, Orita-Mefa; St. Patrick Secondary School, Bashorun; St. Louis Grammar School, Mokola; Oba Akinbiyi Model School; and St. Brigid’s School, Mokola. NAN reports that many students who arrived at their schools as early as 7:45 a.m. were turned back and asked to return home. However, an exception was made for candidates sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) . Teachers assigned to invigilation duties were allowed into school premises, and only students taking the examination were permitted access to school grounds. One of the teachers, Mrs Yemisi Alao, told NAN that staff members in her school had been directed not to report for duty in compliance with the union’s directive. “We are all complying in solidarity with the affected teachers, pupils and their families. We pray that the abducted victims will regain their freedom and return home safely,” she said. Another teacher, Mrs Tayo Olutayo, said both students and teachers had been adequately informed ahead of the industrial action. “Only WAEC candidates and teachers involved in the examination process are expected to be in school,” she said. Reports from other parts of the state including Oyo, Ogbomoso, Iseyin, Saki, Eruwa and Igboora in Ibarapa indicate full compliance with the strike by teachers in public primary and secondary schools.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has mobilised its members nationwide for a massive solidarity and advocacy protest in Oyo State over the continued abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, in a statement issued on Friday, May 29, 2026, described the prolonged captivity of the victims as “heartbreaking, disturbing and unacceptable,” declaring that Nigerian students would no longer remain silent while innocent pupils and teachers remain in the hands of kidnappers. According to Akinteye, the solidarity movement would include visits to the affected schools – Community High School/Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School – as well as courtesy visits to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) . The NANS delegation is also expected to stage a peaceful walk against insecurity in Ibadan. “I write at this critical and defining juncture to invite all NANS structures, sister unions, stakeholders, and leaders to a solidarity movement in Oyo State,” Akinteye stated. “This solidarity movement is premised on the continuous hostage situation involving our students and teachers following the gruesome and inhumane attack in Oriire Local Government Area. It has been two weeks since this cruel and callous act was perpetrated, and it is appalling that till this day, the abducted students and teachers are yet to be rescued. At this critical crossroads, silence is no longer golden; we must act decisively and forthwith.”

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Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has appealed to residents and families of abducted schoolchildren not to organize protests over the incident, saying such actions could make the situation more difficult and encourage the kidnappers. Speaking to residents on Sunday, May 31, 2026, during a thanksgiving service marking the 60th birthday and retirement of the outgoing Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, held at the Christ Apostolic Church, Ibadan, the governor said the security challenge facing the state reflects the growing threat posed by bandits and terrorists operating close to local communities. He noted that the danger is no longer far away, as criminal groups have continued to move closer to areas where people live and work. Makinde urged relatives of the victims and other concerned residents to remain calm while security agencies continue efforts to secure the children’s release. According to him, public demonstrations at this stage may give the kidnappers the attention they seek and could affect ongoing efforts being made to resolve the situation. He said: “I told the people our reality. Our reality is that the bandits, the terrorists, are here within our doorstep. This is not the time for protest. The terrorists and the bandits are not normal people. If they had a reasonable head, they won’t be in the bush doing what they are doing. So if we’re protesting, we’re fueling their ego.” Makinde added that spiritual support was also important in resolving the crisis. “Only God can touch their hearts. We are making every effort to bring back our children and their teachers safely,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu has said no child should be abducted from the safety of a classroom as he expressed concern over the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. The President, in a statement issued on Monday, said he shared the pain and anxiety of the affected families and assured them that efforts were underway to secure the safe return of the victims. Tinubu disclosed that he had approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State Government following the visit of a high-level Federal Government delegation to the Esiele and Yawota communities affected by the incident. He also ordered the deployment of a specialised security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities to strengthen ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers. Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday led a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Ogbomoso and surrounding communities in Oyo State following the abduction. The delegation, which included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications Sunday Dare, conveyed President Tinubu’s concern over the May 15 abduction and reassured residents of ongoing efforts to secure the victims’ release. The delegation also informed community leaders that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area would be presented to President Tinubu for consideration. Gbajabiamila assured parents and community members that rescue operations would be intelligence-driven and carefully coordinated to prioritise the safety of the victims.

Key facts from the crisis include the following: the date of the attack was May 15, 2026; the location was Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, targeting Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle; L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esinle; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School; the number abducted was 46 people comprising 39 students and 7 teachers; casualties included one teacher, Michael Oyedokun, killed, with two persons killed overall; the youngest victim is two-year-old Christianah Akanbi; the NUT strike began on June 1, 2026, as an indefinite strike with full compliance across Oyo State, while WAEC candidates were exempted; hundreds of protesters marched in Ibadan and stormed the Government House despite rainfall, while NANS mobilised nationwide; the government response includes the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards, deployment of a specialised security unit, a high-level delegation visit to Ogbomoso, and consideration of a military base in the area; and President Tinubu stated that no child should be abducted from a classroom and assured families of ongoing rescue efforts.

Oyo Boils as Teachers Strike, Protesters Demand Freedom for Abducted Pupils

Police Warn Nigerians Against Reprisal Over Fresh South Africa Xenophobic Attacks

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a stern warning against any retaliatory attacks targeting South African nationals, businesses, diplomatic facilities, or investments in Nigeria, following renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa that have reportedly claimed the lives of at least two Nigerians.

In a statement released on Sunday, Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, said security agencies were closely monitoring developments after growing public anger over reports of fresh attacks on Nigerians in parts of South Africa.

According to him, while the concerns of Nigerians are understandable, the police will not tolerate any form of unlawful retaliation.

“While concerns about attacks on Nigerians in South Africa are understandable, the public is strongly advised not to take the law into their own hands,” Placid stated.

The police stressed that reprisal attacks, violence, hate speech, destruction of property, and any act capable of disrupting public peace or threatening national security remain criminal offences under Nigerian law.

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The statement reaffirmed that Nigeria operates under the rule of law, adding that all persons legally residing in the country, regardless of nationality, are entitled to protection.

The NPF warned that any attempt to target South African citizens in Nigeria, foreign-owned businesses, diplomatic missions, or other lawful interests would be treated as a criminal act and prosecuted accordingly.

The police also cautioned Nigerians against circulating unverified reports and inflammatory content on social media, noting that misinformation could worsen tensions and undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.

Placid disclosed that the force is collaborating with other security and intelligence agencies to forestall any breakdown of law and order. He added that security has been reinforced around foreign embassies, strategic infrastructure, and sensitive locations nationwide.

The latest warning comes amid reports of renewed xenophobic violence in South Africa, particularly in Johannesburg and Pretoria, where anti-immigrant protests have escalated into attacks against foreign nationals.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed that the Federal Government is making arrangements for the voluntary evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa for those willing to return home.

She revealed that more Nigerians have begun registering for possible evacuation as the government intensifies diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to ensure the protection of Nigerian citizens and demand accountability for the attacks.

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad while pursuing a peaceful diplomatic resolution to the crisis.

Police Warn Nigerians Against Reprisal Over Fresh South Africa Xenophobic Attacks