By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has threatened to disconnect transmission substations supplying electricity in Owerri the Imo State capital and environs from the national grid over unprovoked attack and abduction of its staff by the state sponsored operatives.
NISO management in a statement disclosed that the “state government
operatives allegedly acting on behalf of the Imo State government forcefully
entered and vandalised the control rooms at the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation in their bid to force the operators to cause power cut.
It said, “Given the severity of the situation and the danger it poses to the national grid, NISO Management has resolved to wait until 6:00 p.m. today, 15th November 2025, to establish the
whereabouts and safety of the affected staff and if no information is received, all transmission substations within Owerri will be disconnected from the national
grid.”
According to NISO’s account, “after forcefully effecting disconnection at gun point, all NISO personnel on duty at the affected facilities were held hostage and forced to open the breakers by the operatives, and efforts made to reach the Imo State government for clarification have so far been unsuccessful”.
NISO however, said contact was made with the Chairman, Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Engr Bede Okpara, who confirmed awareness of the incident and indicated he would revert with further information.
NISO regretted that as at the time of this report, no update has been provided, and no government agency or representative of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission has contacted NISO regarding the matter.
It lamented that the unknown whereabouts of its staff amidst lack of communication with them in the aftermath of the attack by the Imo state government sponsored operatives, was a source of grave concern to the management.