Again, Boko Haram Throws Maiduguri Into Blackout, Cuts Power Supply

Boko Haram have cut off another section of the 330 kilovolts Damaturu-to-Maiduguri transmission line barely 48 hours after the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) restored power to Maiduguri, Borno State.

The latest power cut was confirmed to DailyTrust in a text message on Saturday by a senior official of TCN.

“After concerted effort by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to restore power to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, insurgents bomb tower 152 and 153 on Damaturu – Maiduguri (Molai) 330kv line at around 5:56am on 27th March 2021, putting Maiduguri and its environs out of power supply again,” the official said.

Recall that the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) had on Wednesday restored power supply to Maiduguri and other areas in the state.

Boko Haram terrorists had destroyed some power stations and transmission lines, cutting Maiduguri from the national grid for two months.

It was gathered that the insurgentslaid land mines that injured officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) when they tried to repair the damage.

This led to heavy military escort as repairs progressed. Maiduguri residents and business owners had had to rely on their power generating sets for electricity.

But in a statement on Wednesday, Kingsley Nkemneme, YEDC spokesman, confirmed that there is now electricity supply in Maiduguri and surrounding communities.

“The management of Yola Electricity Distribution Company wishes to inform our dear valued customer(s) that electricity supply is restored to Maiduguri and environs today, 24th March, 2021 after completion of work on a faulty Damaturu-Maiduguri Transmission Line,” the statement reads.

“Our sincere appreciation goes to the entire crew of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and all relevant stakeholders that worked tirelessly to ensure power was restored to Maiduguri in the face of the security challenges and a difficult terrain.

“We are therefore appealing to our dear customer(s) to exercise patience and rest assured that our technical crew is working diligently to ensure the safety of our distribution network, and gradual power restoration to homes and businesses within the metropolis. This is to ensure the safety of lives, properties, and our distribution facilities within our network.”