Power outage looms as explosion hits Zungeru hydro dam

• Power plant intact, says minister
• Troops intercept terrorists, recover arms in Imo, Kwara

The multi-million Naira Zungeru Hydro Electricity Dam in Niger State has been reportedly hit by an explosion.
 
The Federal Government project, which is yet to be officially commissioned, is the fourth dam located in the North-central state after Jebba, Kainji and Shiroro.
 
A resident of Zungeru community, Salihu Rabiu, confirmed the incident, but could not give casualty figure.
 
The Guardian learnt that the explosion occurred in the early hours of yesterday, with the real causes yet to be known at press time.
 
The source said several workers sustained injuries, and were being attended to at different hospitals closeby, while those seriously affected were rushed to Minna, the state capital, for more medical attention.
 
“We saw a foreigner (Chinese), who had severe injuries, being ferried to Minna for further medical attention. But we cannot say the actual number of staff injured, but they are many,” he said.

The explosion was said to have also affected some major installations at the dam.

HOWEVER, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has faulted the claim.

According to him, the “Zungeru power plant on the grid  is running at optimum capacity.”

The clarification was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser, Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, which quoted the minister stating that the report of an explosion was imaginary. 
 
Adelabu said: “I have spoken with the Managing Director of Mainstream Energy and I can assure you that nothing of such took place in Zungeru.”

The plant is working and it continues to supply to the grid. We have video evidence from Zungeru that nothing like that occurred today (yesterday) and whoever is interested should go there to find out. It is rather unfortunate that people will sit down somewhere and cook up this sort of story. It is unpatriotic, such people should desist from creating unnecessary panic.”
 
He assured Nigerians of adequate supply of energy, stating that the worst has been seen in the sector.

MEANWHILE, the Nigerian Army, yesterday, said its troops deployed for counter-terrorism operations in Imo State, in collaboration with other security forces, conducted successful raids on multiple hideouts of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

It said during the raids, troops arrested key kingpins and seized a significant cache of weapons and ammunition.

In a statement on its official X, the military said officers conducted operations in Orlu Local Council, targeting notorious kingpins: Izuchukwu Emejuru, aka “Kingkong,” and Chibuzor Chikwe, alias “Onyema.”

According to the statement, the operation resulted in the arrest of the suspects and confiscation of a variety of weapons, including a semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally-made gun and a pistol.

“Additionally, valuable items belonging to Eze Ogberuru, whose palace was earlier desecrated and burnt with his belongings carted away by ESN elements, were recovered by the troops.

“In another decisive operation, troops raided the hideout of a suspected IPOB/ESN kingpin identified as Chinemerem, aka “Bam Bam,” in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, Onuimo LGA.

“The operation led to the neutralisation of Chinemerem as he attempted to reach for his weapon, and the arrest of several of his accomplices,” the statement added.

It said a substantial amount of weapons, ammunition and IPOB/ESN paraphernalia was seized, and the hideout subsequently destroyed.