By Our Correspondent
Imo State has been thrown into a widespread blackout following the withdrawal of services by electricity workers after an alleged armed police invasion of the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Owerri. The incident has sparked outrage across the power sector, with unions warning that the crisis could escalate into a nationwide shutdown if urgent steps are not taken.
According to the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), heavily armed policemen stormed the substation, assaulted workers, and forced operational staff at gunpoint to open breakers, effectively shutting down power supply across the state. The union alleges that the officers vandalized critical control equipment, destroyed staff property including mobile phones and laptops, and even disabled CCTV cameras before whisking some workers away to an undisclosed location.
In response, NUEE ordered all electricity personnel in Imo State to immediately withdraw their services, citing serious threats to the safety of workers. The union insisted it will not allow its members to return to duty until there is a firm guarantee of protection from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Federal Ministry of Power, and the Inspector General of Police.
Transpower Electricity Distribution Company, the DisCo serving the area, confirmed that the police operation directly led to the statewide blackout. The company said the invasion occurred around 10:20 a.m., disrupting normal grid operations and leaving both residential and commercial customers without supply.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) expressed deep concern over the security breach at a critical national asset, warning that such incidents threaten the overall stability of the national grid. The operator noted that further disruptions could force it to take protective actions, including the disconnection of compromised substations.
The Imo State Police Command, however, has denied claims of abduction or assault. In a statement, the command described the incident as an “operational misunderstanding” between electricity sector stakeholders and assured the public that a full investigation has been launched by its State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
NUEE has demanded the immediate release of all detained workers, compensation for damaged property, and medical attention for injured staff. The union warned that unless these conditions are met promptly, it may extend the shutdown beyond Imo State and mobilize workers across the country.
As the standoff intensifies, residents and businesses in Imo are grappling with the impact of prolonged power outage, while calls grow for federal intervention to prevent the situation from escalating into a nationwide energy crisis.
