Blackout: FG orders troops to provide security for electricity workers

The federal government has directed troops to provide full-scale security for electricity workers repairing critical national infrastructure damaged by bandits, which has caused blackouts in parts of Northern Nigeria.

The government confirmed that bandits were responsible for bringing down electricity towers, and since the incident, President Bola Tinubu has ordered immediate security cover for workers to restore the damaged infrastructure.

Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, disclosed this during a workshop at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, focusing on critical infrastructure protection and resilience.

Several Northern regions, including the Northeast, Northwest, and parts of Northcentral, have been in darkness for about eight days due to disruptions in the 330kV transmission lines between Benue and Enugu, as well as Shiroro and Kaduna.

Speaking at the workshop, Badaru stressed efforts to secure critical infrastructure, saying, “This morning, the National Security Adviser began addressing the electricity tower brought down by bandits. Together, we are working to secure the roads for workers to access the site and develop strategies to protect infrastructure moving forward.

“We are fully prepared and charged by Mr. President’s orders to remain vigilant. I assure you, the National Security Adviser is actively pushing for the protection of national security assets.”

The minister urged stakeholders to remain calm, assuring them that the situation would be resolved as soon as possible.