The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has warned of a possible disconnection of all transmission substations within Owerri from the national grid.
The operator, in a statement signed by its management at the weekend, stated that 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 a bid to force the operators to grant an illegal outage.
It also noted that 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.
“Information received from Owerri indicates 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 grant illegal outage.
“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.
“Efforts to reach the Imo State Government for clarification have so far been unsuccessful. However, contact was made with the Chairman, Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Bede Okpara, who confirmed awareness of the incident and indicated he would revert with further information.
“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,” the statement read.
The operator noted that the continued absence of official communication on the status of its personnel is a serious concern to the NISO management.
“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,” it added.
