Edo Market Power Line Explosion Triggers National Grid Instability

A potentially fatal incident unfolded at Egor market in Edo State as Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) power lines unexpectedly exploded and caught fire. Traders and residents, many of whom had constructed buildings and shops directly beneath the high-tension lines, narrowly escaped death, scrambling for safety as the inferno raged. Following the successful extinguishing of the blaze, market traders were observed engaging in prayers, expressing gratitude for their survival.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria confirmed that the explosion led to significant disruptions on both the Benin-Egbin 330KV and Benin-Omotoso 330KV transmission lines. According to the company, this event triggered widespread voltage instability across the national grid, particularly affecting the Lagos corridor. This instability resulted in the shutdown of several generating stations, causing multiple transmission line outages and a subsequent interruption of electricity supply to Lagos and its surrounding areas.

Ndidi Mbah, the General Manager for Public Affairs at TCN, issued a statement on Friday explaining the immediate response. She stated that the National Control Centre directed various power generators to decrease their output. This measure was crucial for mitigating the surge in frequency, stabilizing the overall system, and averting further widespread disturbances to the national grid. Mbah further reported that the 330kV Benin–Egbin transmission line has since been reactivated and is now efficiently transmitting bulk electricity. She added that dedicated teams of TCN engineers from the Benin and Omotoso sub-regions are actively working to resolve the remaining issues on the 330kV Benin-Omotoso transmission line, aiming for a swift and complete restoration of bulk power to the Lagos region.

Expressing regret, Mbah conveyed, “We deeply regret the inconvenience and discomfort this incident has caused residents, businesses, and all electricity customers in the affected areas. Please be assured that the Ministry of Power and all relevant agencies are doing everything possible to rectify the line, to enable normal bulk power transmission along the affected line.” She emphasized TCN's broader objective, stating, “Our goal is to stabilise and strengthen the national grid, with the aim of minimising such recurrence.” Mbah appealed to all impacted consumers for patience, assuring that updates would be provided as efforts to restore bulk power supply via the Benin-Omotoso transmission line continue.

In a separate but related development, the Edo State government has initiated steps to demolish illegal structures erected under the power lines. Euguene Okoloise, Chairman of the Committee for Protection of Government Properties, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the affected area, subsequently sealing all buildings and shops located beneath the transmission lines. Okoloise declared these structures illegal and confirmed they would be demolished once a seven-day ultimatum expires. He remarked, “All structures under the power lines are illegal. If not for God, a lot of people would have died at the Egor incident. I learnt that one person died. I was there for an on the spot assessment.” He reiterated the government's commitment to public safety, stating, “We have given them a seven day ultimatum to leave the place. When we give an ultimatum, the next thing is to demolish and we will demolish those buildings. The duty of the government is to protect lives and property. If the citizens do not want to be protected, we will force them to be protected.”