Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has threatened to disconnect Owerri metropolis, Imo state capital 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 vandalized the control rooms at the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation in their bid to force the Operators to grant illegal outage.”
“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.”
NISO narrated 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.
“Efforts 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.
Expressing concern over the prevailing incommunicado with its staff caused by the Imo state government sponsored operatives, NISO lamented that the “continued absence of official communication on the status of our personnel gives the NISO management a serious concern.”
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