Residents Demand Action as Katsina Communities Remain Without Electricity for Six Months

Residents of four Katsina communities have staged a protest over what they described as six months of continuous darkness, claiming the outage has disrupted daily life.

Hundreds of people gathered in Barhim on Sunday, demanding urgent restoration of electricity to Abuja Quarters, Barhim Layout, Sha’iskawa, and Tigirmis Quarters.

Protesters noted that the blackout has affected more than 5,000 homes, worsening water shortages and increasing insecurity in the area.

Community representative Usman Mohammad-Alqasim described the long power outage as unbearable for families.

“For about six months now, thousands of people in these communities have been cut off from the national grid without any clear explanation,” he said.

Mohammad-Alqasim blamed the disruption on illegal structures under a 33kV line, which the state government had ordered for demolition. The demolition, however, was halted midway following the intervention of the Batagarawa council chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Kawo.

“Some structures were removed, but work suddenly stopped after the chairman’s intervention. He told residents that funds had been approved to relocate the line, yet no work has started,” he added.

The Village Head of Barhim Layout, Sirajo Aminu, said the blackout has contributed to increased theft and insecurity. He called on the state government to restore electricity and provide essential infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and drainage systems.

Residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they will continue pressing for swift action to end the blackout.

Council Chairman Yahaya Kawo confirmed awareness of the situation and assured residents that efforts to resolve the issue would commence “this week.”