TENSION IN OWERRI AS ARMED GUNMEN LAUNCH DARING ATTACK ON MAJOR POWER SUBSTATION, HOLD WORKERS HOSTAGE AND FORCE ILLEGAL SHUTDOWN

TENSION IN OWERRI AS ARMED GUNMEN LAUNCH DARING ATTACK ON MAJOR POWER SUBSTATION, HOLD WORKERS HOSTAGE AND FORCE ILLEGAL SHUTDOWN

Owerri was thrown into chaos and disbelief on Saturday after a group of heavily armed invaders stormed the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation, overpowering security operatives and forcing their way into one of the most sensitive power control facilities in the South-East. The frightening incident, which authorities have described as a “premeditated act of sabotage,” left workers traumatised and raised nationwide concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) confirmed that the attackers, numbering yet to be officially determined, descended on the facility in a shockingly coordinated manner. According to preliminary reports, the gunmen violently broke into the control room, where they held power engineers and technical staff at gunpoint. Under threat, the intruders allegedly compelled the workers to manually open breakers—an action capable of triggering an unauthorized shutdown with potentially catastrophic consequences for electricity supply.

NISO’s emergency statement described the invasion as an assault not only on Imo State but on the national electricity grid, warning that such disruptions, if not swiftly contained, could ripple across multiple regions and plunge millions into darkness.

Residents living close to the substation recounted moments of panic, with many fleeing indoors as gunshots and frantic shouts echoed across the area. “We didn’t know what was happening. All we heard were loud bangs and people running. Everyone was afraid the transformers might explode or the attack could spread,” one eyewitness said.

Security sources disclosed that efforts were immediately activated to regain control of the facility, while reinforcement teams combed the surroundings in search of the fleeing assailants. Though no fatalities were recorded, several workers were left severely shaken after being held hostage during the ordeal.

Power sector experts have expressed alarm over the sophistication of the attack, highlighting its implications for national security. Transmission substations such as Egbu play a central role in grid stability, meaning any forced tampering could trigger a domino effect capable of destabilizing power supply across several states.

Stakeholders are now demanding a swift and full-scale investigation to uncover the identities, motivations and possible sponsors behind the invasion. Many fear the attack may signal a dangerous new trend in criminal sabotage targeting strategic energy installations.

Local authorities in Imo State have pledged full cooperation with federal agencies to uncover the truth, while NISO has assured Nigerians that immediate measures were taken to restore operational integrity at the substation. The organisation also emphasized the need for enhanced security surveillance at all key transmission hubs nationwide.

As investigations intensify, the people of Owerri remain on edge, grappling with the unsettling reality that a vital power facility could be so easily infiltrated. The daring operation has left lingering questions about the preparedness of security networks and the evolving threats facing Nigeria’s already fragile power system.

The nation now watches closely as authorities work to unravel the plot behind one of the most disturbing attacks on energy infrastructure in recent years.