TCN restores power to North as IHRC says N1.5tr lost to blackout

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a partial restoration of power to seven states in the northern region of the country affected by the vandalisation of the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line.

The states include Lafia, Makurdi, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, and Gombe States.

Electricity was restored to the area as of 4:56 pm, following a repair of the 330kV Ugwuaji-Apir transmission line 1.

TCN made the announcement in a statement signed by the General Manager of public affairs, Ndidi Mbah, on Wednesday. This development follows a nine-day blackout in the entire region.

On October 22, TCN reported a power outage in the North-East, North-West and parts of North-Central after the 330 kV Ugwaji–Apir double circuit transmission lines 1 and 2 tripped around 4:53 am “due to a fault”.

Meanwhile, Country Director of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC-RFT), Nigeria Chapter, Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, has said Northern Nigeria has suffered an estimated ₦1.5 trillion in economic losses due to widespread blackouts in the past week.

In a statement, Adamu highlighted that the prolonged power outages are compounding the region’s economic and security issues, disrupting essential services, livelihoods, and daily life across the region’s 100 million population.

He expressed concerns about the government’s lack of response, emphasizing the severe human rights implications of the ongoing power crisis.

“Reliable electricity is a basic right, crucial for security, health, education, and economic stability,” Adamu stated, urging the government to take swift action as continued blackouts deepen social vulnerabilities, disrupt local economies, and elevate security risks.

On security implications, Adamu noted that inadequate lighting and disrupted communications leave communities increasingly vulnerable to crime, with power instability creating favorable conditions for conflicts and insecurity.