How Gunmen Attack TCN Substation in Kwara, Force Power Shutdown

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed that heavily armed men invaded its transmission facility in Offa, Kwara State, forcing operators to shut down electricity feeders at gunpoint and temporarily disrupting power supply in parts of the state.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, May 7, 2026, targeted the Offa 132kV transmission substation, one of the key facilities responsible for electricity transmission within the area.

In a statement issued by TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the attackers reportedly stormed the facility, forcefully entered the control room, and held workers on duty hostage during the operation.

According to the company, the gunmen ordered the operator on duty to disconnect both the Offa and Ojoku 33kV feeders at exactly 12:45 a.m., causing a temporary power outage in Kwara State.

TCN further disclosed that the attackers demanded a total shutdown of the transmission substation and allegedly tampered with critical control switches and relay buttons within the facility.

The company stated that the 40MVA transformer at the substation was eventually shut down at about 1:07 a.m., escalating concerns over the vulnerability of Nigeria’s critical power infrastructure to security threats.

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Following the attack, the Transmission Company of Nigeria declared a force majeure on the affected facility.

However, engineers were able to restore the transformer six minutes later at about 1:13 a.m., while electricity supply through the Offa feeder resumed by 1:14 a.m. Supply to the Ojoku feeder was later restored at approximately 2:15 a.m.

TCN apologised to customers affected by the temporary disruption and assured Nigerians of its continued commitment to transmitting bulk electricity efficiently across the country.

The attack has intensified concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Kwara State and the growing targeting of strategic national infrastructure.

The latest incident comes amid increasing reports of attacks on security formations and public facilities within the North Central region.

Recently, suspected bandits reportedly attacked a Police Mobile Force camp in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing at least three police officers during a midnight assault.

Security analysts have warned that attacks on critical facilities such as power stations could have serious implications for national security, economic activities, and public confidence in government infrastructure protection.

Residents and stakeholders have also urged security agencies to strengthen surveillance around electricity facilities and other strategic installations to prevent further attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the invasion, while security agencies had yet to announce any arrests connected to the incident.

The development has once again highlighted concerns over the security of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure amid persistent challenges facing the nation’s power sector.

How Gunmen Attack TCN Substation in Kwara, Force Power Shutdown

RCCG Pastor Faces Rape, Oral Sex Allegation as Church Refuses Suspension

OGBOMOSO, Nigeria – The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has broken its silence on the growing sexual misconduct scandal involving one of its youth pastors in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, but has so far declined to suspend him, confirming it is awaiting the outcome of an investigation by the school authority. The embattled pastor has now been publicly identified as Tayo Sobowale, who serves at the RCCG Strongtower parish, located near the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH). The controversy erupted after a female LAUTECH student confronted him mid-service in a now-viral video, accusing him of attempted rape, sexual coercion, and demanding oral sex.

In the dramatic video, which has since racked up thousands of views across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, the young woman accused Pastor Sobowale of predatory behavior under the guise of pastoring. According to her narrative, the pastor allegedly asked her to buy him pounded yam and egusi soup, then invited her to his private residence – described as an “upper room” – to deliver the food. Once inside, she claimed he tried to pin her down and force himself on her. When she resisted by closing her legs, she alleged he demanded oral sex. She further claimed the pastor boasted that he had engaged in similar acts with other female members, including a “Sister Rachel,” adding that “most of the ladies are virgins.” In a stunning response captured on video, Pastor Sobowale took the microphone and said: “She has spoken right, and the story is sweet. Let me ask her…” – at which point the recording ended abruptly.

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The RCCG National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Oyegbola, confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that the church is fully aware of the allegations. However, he said the church is taking a measured approach. “I have been able to confirm that the church is aware of the allegations and is waiting for the outcome of the investigation of the school authority to know the next steps,” Oyegbola said. When pressed on whether Pastor Sobowale has been suspended pending investigation, Oyegbola declined to give a direct answer, stating only that “an allegation is being investigated.” That response has drawn criticism from some Christian circles and online commentators, who argue that RCCG should immediately step down any pastor facing credible sexual misconduct allegations.

Following the public confrontation, other female church members have reportedly come forward with similar stories. According to sources close to the church, the allegations include unwanted sexual advances, emotional coercion using pastoral authority, inappropriate touching, and exploitation of vulnerable female students. The RCCG Strongtower parish is located near LAUTECH, making it a popular church for university students seeking spiritual guidance. That proximity has raised concerns about a potential pattern of abuse targeting young female undergraduates.

Official reactions have begun to trickle in from various authorities. The LAUTECH spokesperson, Lekan Fadeyi, told the press, “I’m just hearing this for the first time; but let me find out if any such case has been reported to the school authorities.” Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, stated, “I am not aware of the incident. The state Criminal Investigation Department usually handles such cases.” In contrast, a top Christian leader, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, who is also the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Lagos State, called for a full, unbiased inquiry. “The allegations should be properly investigated and if established, whoever is found wanting should answer questions on what has really transpired. Whoever is involved should be penalised. There is no guessing about that,” he said. He also cautioned that while false allegations are possible, justice and fairness demand a thorough probe.

RCCG Pastor Faces Rape, Oral Sex Allegation as Church Refuses Suspension

How Childhood Flogging Cost Me My Left Eye — Undergraduate

Twenty-year-old Esther Oriyomi has shared the heartbreaking story of how a childhood injury caused by her father’s belt left her permanently blind in one eye after years of delayed treatment and medical complications.

Esther, a 100-level student of English and Literary Studies at Federal University Oye-Ekiti, said the incident happened when she was six years old during the Christmas period at their family home in Lagos.

According to her, she and other children were playing noisily in the sitting room when her father, who had returned from work and was trying to sleep, became angry and came out to discipline them.

“I was about six years old when it happened. My dad flogged me with a belt, and the iron part hit my left eye. It started bleeding immediately,” she recalled.

The eye injury reportedly caused severe bleeding and swelling, but instead of taking her to an eye specialist immediately, the family initially treated the wound at home with ice packs before later visiting a general doctor.

Esther said she was given eye drops and pain relievers, and after about two months, the pain reduced. However, months later, she began experiencing blurry vision.

The problem became obvious in school when her teachers noticed she struggled to read and write properly.

“My teacher complained to my mum that I was not writing correctly. They had to move me to the front of the class because I could no longer see clearly,” she said.

As the condition worsened, Esther said she frequently tripped, bumped into objects, and struggled with unbalanced vision.

Despite her repeated complaints, she claimed proper medical attention was delayed for years until she developed strabismus — a visible eye misalignment — while in junior secondary school.

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According to her, the first eye clinic she visited allegedly misdiagnosed her condition and prescribed glasses instead of recommending urgent corrective treatment.

“They told us surgery could not happen until I turned 14, so I continued using glasses, but the eye was not improving,” she explained.

Esther later attended Federal Government College, Idoani, where her mother eventually withdrew her temporarily from school to seek further treatment in Lagos after noticing the condition was getting worse.

At another hospital, doctors reportedly discovered that the earlier diagnosis had been wrong and expressed concern that she had not been brought for specialist treatment earlier.

“The doctors kept asking why I didn’t come earlier because the condition had already become very serious,” she said.

Although surgery was later scheduled, Esther disclosed that it never happened for reasons she said were known only to her parents.

Years later, another ophthalmologist reportedly informed the family that the damage to the eye had become too severe and that surgery had only a 50-50 chance of success.

The tragedy worsened after her mother died of cancer in 2023 at the age of 47.

According to Esther, she later began suffering from severe headaches and intense pain in the damaged eye.

“The pain feels like needles stabbing into my eye. Sometimes, I cannot even open the eye because of the pain,” she said.

Further medical examinations reportedly revealed retinal detachment in the affected eye, with doctors warning that surgery might not restore her sight.

She said specialists also warned that there was an 80 per cent chance the condition could spread to the healthy eye if not properly monitored.

“They told me there was no guarantee I would regain sight in the left eye and that surgery might end up being a waste of money,” she added.

Today, Esther said she manages the recurring pain with painkillers while hoping for future medical opportunities abroad.

Despite the trauma and years of emotional pain, the undergraduate said she has chosen to forgive her parents.

“Growing up, I carried a lot of hatred in my heart. But recently, I decided to let everything go. I have forgiven them,” she said.

She also recounted the emotional impact of growing up with visibly misaligned eyes, saying she was frequently mocked by other children.

“People used to ask me, ‘Are you looking at me?’ It affected my confidence a lot,” she recalled.

Using her experience as a lesson, Esther urged parents to take children’s health seriously and seek immediate treatment whenever injuries occur.

She also appealed to parents to reconsider harsh physical punishment as a method of discipline.

“Hitting children is not the only way to discipline them. Parents should learn patience, understanding, and observation,” she advised.

Despite losing sight in one eye, Esther remains determined to achieve her academic dreams.

She said she hopes to become a lecturer after earning her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, adding that she also hopes to teach internationally someday.

The student disclosed that her elder sister currently provides most of the financial support for her education.

How Childhood Flogging Cost Me My Left Eye — Undergraduate

PUNCH