NEWS
Major Power Outage Hits Northern Nigeria After Transmission Line Failure
Northern Nigeria is experiencing widespread power outages following the tripping of two major 330kV transmission lines operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The affected lines, Ugwaji–Apir Double Circuit Transmission Lines 1 & 2, tripped early Tuesday morning, causing significant disruptions across the North-east, North-west, and parts of the North-central regions.
Read Also: Snakes, Scorpions Endanger Students At UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla
The TCN General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, confirmed the incident in a statement, explaining that the outage occurred when both circuits experienced faults within minutes of each other.
“At approximately 4:53 am, the Ugwuaji–Markurdi 330kV Line 2 tripped, transferring 243 MW to Line 1 on the same route.
“However, at 4:58 am, Line 1 also tripped, resulting in a total loss of 468 MW. Attempts to restore power on both lines at 5:15 am and 5:17 am were unsuccessful, as they tripped again due to the same relay indications,” Mbah said.
In response to the incident, TCN dispatched teams of linesmen to begin fault tracing along the 215-kilometer route, which stretches between Ugwuaji and Apir, involving 245 transmission towers.
A team from the Apir Transmission Sub-region has been patrolling the line since Monday, navigating difficult terrain along the River Benue.
However, they have not yet located the source of the fault.
Complicating efforts, a patrol team from the Enugu region was delayed by a sit-at-home directive in the South-East on October 21st and 22nd.
The directive prevented the team from commencing work and delayed refueling efforts for their patrol vehicles. Security operatives were later arranged to escort the team, who began fault tracing on Tuesday.
While TCN has managed to restore supply to the 132kV transmission line from New Haven to Apir, the more critical 330kV lines remain down, impacting electricity supply to much of Northern Nigeria.
Compounding the issue, the Shiroro-Mando transmission line has also been taken offline due to security concerns in the region, further exacerbating the outage.
The TCN has assured affected communities that it is working around the clock to resolve the issue and restore power as soon as possible.
However, the scale of the outage and the ongoing challenges faced by the repair teams suggest that normal service may not be restored immediately.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.
In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”
READ MORE: Osun Govt Decries Attempted Murder Of Park Mgt Chairman By Police
The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.
Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.
The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has inaugurated a 12-member committee tasked with recovering government vehicles reportedly in private hands.
The committee, led by Kelly Okungbowa, has been given a two-week mandate to retrieve the vehicles and ensure their return to the state government.
READ ALSO: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo emphasized the importance of accountability in the management of public resources.
He urged the committee to carry out its assignment thoroughly and within the bounds of the law.
In his response, Okungbowa expressed gratitude to the governor for entrusting the team with the assignment, vowing to deliver results within the stipulated timeframe.
“A lot of vehicles used by the past administration are missing, as those in custody of the vehicles have refused to return them,” Okungbowa said.
“The governor deemed it fit to inaugurate us today with a mandate to recover all government vehicles in private hands.”
The committee, which includes representatives from Edo’s three senatorial districts, is set to investigate and recover the vehicles based on credible intelligence already at their disposal.
“We already have vital information regarding some persons still holding government vehicles,” Okungbowa stated. “We will do the job according to the law, and both the government and the people will be satisfied with the outcome.”
He also called on members of the public to assist the committee by providing information about any government vehicles that may still be in private possession.
“We want to appeal to members of the public who might be aware of anyone still keeping government vehicles in their houses to please inform us to enable the committee to recover such for the Edo State Government,” Okungbowa said.
The committee’s vice chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, will work alongside other members to ensure the success of the initiative. The public can reach the committee at 08110165121.
To address Nigeria’s ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year, the Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to secure a ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2 billion) loan.
The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary session, where a voice vote confirmed the approval following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
RELATED NEWS: Tinubu Seeks ₦1.767tn Loan to Tackle 2024 Budget Deficit
Chaired by Senator Wammako Magatarkada (APC, Sokoto North), the committee endorsed the loan request as a vital step in managing the country’s fiscal challenges.
Recall that President Tinubu had submitted the proposal earlier in the week, outlining the loan as a crucial component of his administration’s external borrowing strategy.
Details shortly…………..
Musa Joins Jaiz Bank As Ambassador
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Others
Fans Celebrate Davido As Nigerian Superstar Turns 32
CSR: Dangote Cement Fuels Education With Support Projects At Lagos Schools
Chelsea Handed Injury Boost As Omari Kellyman Nears Return
Edo State Governor Sets Up Committee To Recover Missing Gov’t Vehicles
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
