Insurgents blocking repair of power lines in north will be flushed out, says Barau Jibrin

Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, says security agencies are preparing to strike the insurgents preventing the repair of power lines that takes electricity to the northern part of the country.

On October 22, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported a power outage in the north-east, north-west and parts of north-central after 330-kilovolt (kV) Ugwaji-Apir double circuit transmission lines 1 and 2 tripped.

Nafisatu Ali, executive director, Independent System Operator, has said the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, which supplies power to northern Nigeria, was vandalised by insurgents.

President Bola Tinubu has since directed the army to provide security to the workers fixing the power lines.

Speaking on the floor of the senate on Tuesday, Jibrin said the office of the national security adviser is on top of the issue.

“I have been talking with the national security adviser. I have been talking with the TCN managing director,” the deputy senate president said.

“They are very ready to go there, but the fact is that the place has been occupied by terrorists that are well-armed, well-armed to the teeth.

“So the security agencies are preparing to strike the area and get that threat off that place.

“But it is not something we need to say because that would compromise their preparation to deal with the threat. So as we speak, all hands are on deck to deal with the situation.

“I just feel it’s proper I inform this whole sitting of what is happening. We are in contact with them. We are in touch with them, and we’re discussing with both the TCN and the NSA office.”