Fear and uncertainty gripped Owerri on Saturday as unidentified armed men allegedly stormed the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation, overpowering security and violently breaking into the control room in what the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) described as a shocking, coordinated sabotage attempt.

According to an emergency statement issued by NISO, the attackers forcefully vandalised equipment, held terrified power workers hostage at gunpoint and compelled them to open breakers in a desperate move to trigger an illegal outage, endangering not just Imo State but the national grid at large.AD
NISO said attempts to seek clarification from the Imo State Government had so far been unsuccessful.

However, the group said it was able to reach the Chairman of the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Engr. Bede Okpara, who confirmed awareness of the incident and promised to provide updates. As of the time of the statement, no further information had been received.

The agency expressed serious concern over the lack of official communication regarding the condition and safety of its personnel.

“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. If no information is received, all transmission substations within Owerri will be disconnected from the national grid,” the statement added.

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