Gunmen Invade Offa Power Station, Trigger Temporary Blackout

The attackers reportedly forced the operator to shut down critical components of the station, including the Offa and Ojoku 33kV feeders at exactly 12:45 a.m., before demanding a total system shutdown. During the operation, control switches and relay buttons were tampered with, while the 40MVA transformer was knocked out at about 1:07 a.m.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has declared force majeure on its Offa 132kV Transmission Substation in Offa following a brazen armed robbery that disrupted electricity supply in the area.

According to a statement issued by the company, which was signed by Ndidi Mbah General Manager Public Affairs Division of the TCN, heavily armed men stormed the facility in the early hours of Thursday, May 7, 2026, overpowering security and gaining access to the control room where they held staff on duty hostage at gunpoint.

The attackers reportedly forced the operator to shut down critical components of the station, including the Offa and Ojoku 33kV feeders at exactly 12:45 a.m., before demanding a total system shutdown. During the operation, control switches and relay buttons were tampered with, while the 40MVA transformer was ...... at about 1:07 a.m.

Power supply, however, was restored shortly after the incident. TCN disclosed that the 40MVA transformer was brought back online at 1:13 a.m., followed by the Offa 33kV feeder at 1:14 a.m., and the Ojoku 33kV feeder at 2:15 a.m.

While expressing regret over the disruption caused by the incident, TCN reaffirmed its commitment to the efficient transmission of bulk electricity to distribution companies nationwide.

The incident raises fresh concerns over the security of critical national infrastructure, particularly within Nigeria’s power sector, amid increasing cases of vandalism and attacks on electricity facilities.