Residents across Northern Nigeria are celebrating as power has finally been restored after enduring ten days of total blackout.
Electricity was restored on Wednesday around 7:20 pm to four states under the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) franchise – Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue.
This return of power brought immediate joy to thousands of residents in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, where jubilant crowds could be seen cheering and celebrating in various neighborhoods.
The past ten days had been especially challenging, with residents forced to grapple with total darkness.
Businesses struggled to operate, and households faced mounting frustration as daily life became more difficult.
The blackout stemmed from a tripping of the 330kV transmission line connecting Benue and Enugu states, which cut off the entire area under JED’s jurisdiction.
Many residents have voiced their displeasure, sharing how the power cut disrupted their lives and increased daily expenses.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu addressed the blackout on Tuesday, explaining why it took so long to restore power.
In a press conference, Adelabu confirmed that security threats had delayed repairs on the vandalized Shiroro-Kaduna power transmission line, which was initially believed to be the cause of the blackout.
“The situation was more severe this time, and we had to delay repairs due to security threats,” Adelabu stated.
The minister’s explanation came as frustrations mounted across Northern Nigeria, with many citizens calling for accountability and action from the government.
The prolonged blackout led to intense public criticism, with citizens urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take action.
By Monday, social media and other platforms were flooded with demands for Minister Adelabu’s removal due to the hardship caused by the power cut.
In response, President Tinubu intervened, directing Adelabu and other relevant agencies to work tirelessly to restore power to the affected states without further delay.
The president’s directive appears to have been followed, as power returned just two days after the outcry reached its peak.
Minister Adelabu assured the public that the government is committed to maintaining stability in the region’s power supply, though he acknowledged that security remains a significant hurdle.
“Restoring power was a priority, but we need to ensure that these incidents do not repeat,” Adelabu commented, highlighting the persistent security threats facing the power infrastructure.
