Northern governors have called on the Federal Government to expedite efforts to restore electricity across the northern region following a prolonged blackout caused by vandalism. The Northern Governors’ Forum made the call on Monday in a communiqué released after a meeting with traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Kaduna.

“The Forum calls on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to urgently address the ongoing electricity blackout affecting much of Northern Nigeria due to vandalisation of transmission infrastructure,” the governors stated. “This situation highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and reinforces the need to build additional transmission lines and diversify energy supply to strengthen our region’s connectivity and resilience.”

The vandalism of a major transmission line has plunged northern states into days of darkness, crippling businesses and halting economic activities in affected areas. In response, President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, along with other officials, to accelerate the power restoration process.

The president has also directed National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to collaborate with the Army and Air Force to deploy security personnel, including aerial support, to protect engineers working on the damaged transmission line. He condemned the vandalism, warning that Nigeria will no longer tolerate “deliberate sabotage and destruction of public utilities.”

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has assured the public that it is actively working to restore power despite security challenges in the area. “TCN is diligently working to restore bulk power supply as quickly as possible,” said Ndidi Mbah, General Manager of Public Affairs at TCN.