By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah, Abuja
The Nigerian Independent Systems Operator (NISO) has raised a red flag over a violent invasion at the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Owerri, Imo State.
According to NISO, armed peratives allegedly acting on behalf of the Imo State Government forcefully took over the facility, vandalized control rooms and held NISO personnel hostage to compel an illegal outage.
The operatives reportedly disconnected equipment at gunpoint and coerced staff to open breakers under duress.
NISO’s attempts to reach the Imo State Government for clarification were met with silence.
However, Engr. Bede Okpara, Chairman of the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ISERC), acknowledged awareness of the incident and promised to provide further information.
As of press time, no update has been given, and no government agency has contacted NISO regarding the safety of its personnel.
NISO noted that no government agency or ISERC representative has contacted the organisation regarding the incident.
The NISO management expressed serious concern over the safety of its detained personnel and the potential risk to the national grid.
The organisation said it has set a 6:00 p.m. deadline today, November 15, 2025, to ascertain the whereabouts and safety of its staff.
If no information is received, NISO warned that all transmission substations within Owerri may be disconnected from the national grid.
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