Boko Haram recently launched an audacious attack against Maiduguri that effectively cut the city off from the national electricity grid. The attack also led to the torching of a United Nations’ office in Ngala, Borno state.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria’s spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, confirmed the attack on Monday, January 20th, 2020. She said that TCN is working to restore electricity in Maiduguri, as the the terrorists damaged the electricity equipment serving the state capital and its environs.

She said;

The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby inform the public that Maiduguri and its environs have been cut off from the National Grid since January 17, 2020, due to damages to TCN’s equipment by insurgents.

The incident affected the 330kV transmission line between Maiduguri and Damaturu. Also, the Damboa – Maiduguri 132kV transmission line has equally been disconnected from the grid for sometime, for the same reason.

TCN has located the fault on the Maiduguri – Damaturu line and has arranged to repair the line. Bulk electricity would be restored to Maiduguri on or before January 20, 2020.

TCN pledges to continue to work to ensure bulk electricity transmission and grid expansion nationwide. The company wishes to use this opportunity to commend the Nigeria Armed Forces for their continued support especially in areas prone to insecurity.

TCN regrets inconveniences caused by this problem to electricity consumers in the affected areas.

The humanitarian coordinator of the United Nations in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, also confirmed the attack that led to the burning of an entire section of its facility and one of the few vehicles UN agencies rely on for aid delivery and movement. He said that it was a direct target of a complex assault by “heavily armed non-state armed groups’ operatives”.

Kallon also stated that the international humanitarian agency staff were saved from the attack, owing to the protective security measures they deployed.

He said;

I am outraged by the extremely violent attack on this key humanitarian facility where five United Nations staff were staying at the time of the incident.

I am shocked by the violence and intensity of this attack, which is the latest of too many incidents directly targeting humanitarian actors and the assistance we provide. I am relieved all staff is now safe and secure. Aid workers, humanitarian facilities and assets cannot be a target and must be protected and respected at all times.

Such incidents have a disastrous effect on the lives of the most vulnerable people who depend on our assistance to survive. Many of them had already fled violence in their area of origin and were hoping to find safety and assistance in Ngala. This also jeopardises the ability for aid workers to stay and deliver assistance to the people most in need in remote areas in Borno State.

I call on all parties to the conflict to respect the principles of humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality which guide the assistance the humanitarian community delivers in the states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.