President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has invited Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, over the prolonged electricity blackout that has severely disrupted daily life and economic activities in the North.

According to a statement on Monday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu, who expressed concerns over the situation, also charged the Minister and other relevant agencies to expedite the restoration of electricity to all affected states.

Reports have said that not less than 17 of the 19 States of the North have been affected by the blackout, which has lasted about two weeks, following the vandalisation of the Shiroro-Kaduna lines.

Tinubu expressed dismay over the situation, particularly the widespread impact of the power disruption on northern communities.

After receiving a briefing from Minister Adelabu on the status of repairs to the damaged Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines, President Tinubu emphasized the need for a sustainable, long-term solution.

He urged the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) engineers to intensify their work to bring immediate relief to affected communities.

In a further directive, Tinubu instructed Ribadu to collaborate with the Army and Air Force to ensure the security of TCN personnel and contractors at work on the damaged lines, including providing aerial cover to prevent any additional disruptions.

This measure aims to ensure that restoration efforts continue without interruption, safeguarding engineers and infrastructure from future threats.

The President also called on traditional rulers, community leaders and influential figures in the North to support security agencies in protecting public assets and infrastructure from further sabotage.

Reaffirming a stance against deliberate destruction of public utilities, Tinubu warned that the government would no longer tolerate acts of sabotage against the nation’s power infrastructure.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed concern over the blackout in the northern region of Nigeria in the last week. He is now leading efforts to end the disruption that has paralysed social and economic activities, summoning the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

“The President has directed the Minister of Power and relevant agencies to speed up the pace of work to restore electricity to all the affected states in the North.

“President Tinubu is saddened by the reports of vandalism and wilful destruction of power infrastructure and other public assets that caused the unfortunate blackout.

“In a meeting with the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, who briefed on efforts made by the Transmission Company of Nigeria to repair the damaged Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines, the President directed a long-term solution to the problem.

“President Tinubu charged TCN engineers not to relent in bringing immediate relief to the people who need electricity to sustain their social and economic activities.

“To ensure that restoration work continues unhindered, President Tinubu also directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to work with the Army and Air Force to deploy adequate security personnel, including aerial cover, to protect the engineers who are fixing the damaged transmission line.

“President Tinubu implores traditional rulers, community leaders, and other leaders of thought to work with security agencies to protect public assets and infrastructure.

“He said the government will no longer condone deliberate sabotage and destruction of public utilities.”