|By Babatunji Wusu
Large parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), especially Bwari Area Council, have remained without electricity for more than a week, plunging communities into darkness and heightening security fears.
Areas affected by the prolonged outage include Ushafa, Jigo, Pambara, Bwari town, Dutse, parts of Kubwa, Usuma Dam, and sections of Gwarinpa.
Residents said the blackout has worsened daily living conditions and exposed communities to increased criminal threats. A resident of Ushafa, who asked not to be named, said the lack of electricity has made movement unsafe. According to the resident, people now retreat indoors at dusk as criminals exploit the darkness.
Concerns over the outage gained traction on social media, with X (formerly Twitter) user Mark Itsibor, @itsibor, accusing the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) of silence and negligence. He wrote that businesses were collapsing, homes remained in darkness, and residents continued to suffer without explanation from the utility company.
The blackout has also intensified anxiety in Bwari and Ushafa, areas already grappling with recurring cases of kidnapping and violent attacks by suspected armed bandits. Residents fear that the absence of street lighting and visibility could further embolden criminals.
Tension escalated after reports that a young man was abducted behind a primary school in Ushafa only days ago. Several other kidnapping incidents have been recorded across Bwari, a boundary town linking Abuja and Kaduna State.
Local businesses have also taken a hit. A trader in Bwari town, Monica James, said the outage has pushed many small-scale traders to the brink. She explained that the high cost of fuel has made daily generator use unsustainable, forcing some businesses to shut down.
Attempts to obtain an official response from AEDC were unsuccessful, as company officials declined to comment publicly. However, a source within the company attributed the outage to a faulty cable but failed to provide details or a timeline for power restoration.
A community leader in Bwari described the situation as frustrating, saying residents had received no clear information despite enduring the blackout for over a week.
Nigeria’s power sector has long faced criticism for poor infrastructure and failed reforms. Although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu pledged to resolve the electricity crisis within two years, residents say power supply has continued to deteriorate.
A civil servant in Kubwa, Obaje, said repeated government promises had not translated into improved electricity, describing the current state of supply as alarming.
As a coping strategy, some households have turned to solar power, while others rely on generators. However, rising fuel prices have made alternative energy sources unaffordable for many families.
Residents warned that continued power outages could further undermine security, livelihoods, and economic stability in the FCT if urgent action is not taken.
