The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a temporary disruption of electricity supply across several communities in Delta State as it carries out ongoing maintenance work at the Delta 132/33kV Transmission Substation.

In a statement shared on its official X handle on Friday, the company disclosed that the maintenance exercise commenced on June 4 and will run daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until June 16, 2026.

According to TCN, the exercise is part of efforts to improve the reliability and efficiency of power infrastructure in the area.

“The maintenance is to facilitate the connection of a bus coupler circuit breaker and the rehabilitation of five isolators on the main busbar,” the statement said.

The company explained that several 33kV feeders supplied from the Effurun and Delta 132/33kV Transmission Substations will be temporarily shut down during the maintenance period.

The affected feeders include “Effurun, Warri, Sapele, Osubi, PTI, PMSL, Refinery I, Refinery II, Enerhen, Isoko/Kwale, Otovwodo/Patani, Ughelli/Shell, Agbarho/Eku, Aladja, Imoniyame and Beta Glass.”

As a result, customers connected to these feeders are expected to experience daily power interruptions throughout the maintenance period.

TCN, however, assured residents and businesses that electricity supply would be restored at the conclusion of each day’s maintenance activities.

“Power supply will be restored daily at 5:00 p.m., enabling Benin DisCo to offtake electricity for its customers, following the completion of each day’s maintenance activities,” TCN stated.

The company also expressed regret over the temporary inconvenience and appealed for understanding from affected electricity consumers.

“TCN apologises for every inconvenience caused by the ongoing maintenance exercise,” the statement added.

Nigeria’s education sector is facing renewed concerns as growing insecurity across parts of the country continues to threaten the safety of students, teachers and school communities. Following recent abductions in several states, schools have heightened security measures while education stakeholders are calling on federal and state governments to take swift action to protect learning environments.

Reports indicate that some parents have begun withdrawing their children from schools after receiving security alerts about potential attacks in parts of Northern Nigeria.

One concerned parent, Chief Remi Olokun, expressed his fears on a university platform, saying he remains vigilant about the security situation affecting his children.

“I am on red alert and monitoring the situation in my children’s university and polytechnic. If I get any negative report, I will recall them home,’’ he stated.

Amid the growing concerns, the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos, issued a security advisory to staff and students after receiving reports of security-related threats within the Ibeju-Lekki area.

The university stated:

“While normal activities are expected to continue as usual, all members of the community are advised to remain vigilant and exercise caution in their daily movements. The university is actively monitoring the situation and will communicate further updates and guidance as developments warrant.”

The institution further advised students and staff to remain alert, observe their surroundings carefully and promptly report any suspicious activity to security authorities.

NAPPS Calls for Immediate Rescue of Abducted Victims

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) expressed concern over what it described as the slow pace of rescue efforts involving abducted teachers and pupils.

In a statement signed by National President Dr. Samira Jibir and National Secretary Dr. Kayode Adeyemi, the association condemned the kidnappings and called on all levels of government and security agencies to secure the immediate release of those still in captivity.

NAPPS also commended private school owners in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, for temporarily shutting down schools and organizing prayers for the safe return of the victims.

The association pledged continued engagement with government officials and stakeholders while urging authorities to strengthen security around schools nationwide.

Teachers’ Union Warns Schools May Shut Nationwide

The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) described insecurity as one of the greatest challenges currently facing the education sector.

According to the union’s secretary, Mr. Gbenga Aiyetoba:

“The abduction of children and killing of our members are unacceptable. Our schools are longer safe for teaching and learning. Oyo State schools have been shut and we have told government that if nothing is done, schools nationwide will be closed. Our national leaders have communicated this to the government.’’

ANCOPSS Raises Alarm Over School Safety

The President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mr. Masheyi Abayomi, warned that the country risks serious consequences if insecurity in schools is not urgently addressed.

“A nation whose future leaders are in the forest and teachers are afraid to go to school is doomed,” he said.

Abayomi noted that many schools remain vulnerable due to inadequate infrastructure, citing the absence of perimeter fencing in some affected schools.

“We visited the school in Oyo, there is no fence. Safety is the biggest problem in our schools. We need government action to tackle the security challenge. We are moving to a dangerous situation.

“Hope we will not get to a situation when principals and teachers will come to schools with weapons to protect themselves,’’ Abayomi stated.

Education Experts Demand Stronger School Protection

National President of the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), Orji Kanu Emmanuel, described the current security concerns as alarming.

“It is alarming to say the least. Our schools have become central targets for kidnappers, bandits, terrorists and other non-state actors. It is sad and I am worried because this has turned into a lucrative commercial venture for perpetrators who remain largely unchecked.

“No, teachers and pupils are not safe enough. When fear replaces focus in the classroom, learning stops. Safety is not just the absence of attack; it is the presence of confidence. That confidence is missing today.”

He advised school owners to strengthen security through perimeter fencing, controlled access points and stronger collaboration with communities, vigilante groups and law enforcement agencies.

Orji also warned against shutting down schools nationwide, arguing that doing so would hand victory to criminal elements.

“Shutting down schools means absolute surrender. It means ceding governance and sovereignty to enemies. ‘One child out of school is one child for the street’ – and for recruitment by criminals.

“Instead of closure, we need targeted protection. If a specific school has a credible threat, relocate pupils temporarily and deploy security. But closing schools nationwide hands victory to terrorists. Education must not stop because criminals are active,” he stated.

He further urged government to declare an emergency on school security and take urgent measures to restore confidence in the education system.

Calls for Better Security Funding and School Protection Force

Other stakeholders also weighed in on the growing insecurity.

The Director of Corporate Affairs at Nigerian Breweries Plc, Uzodinma Odenigbo, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure schools remain safe learning environments while expressing hope for the swift release of abducted students and teachers in Oyo and Borno states.

Executive Director of the African Students Education Support Initiative (ASESI), Chinonso Obasi, described the abductions as evidence of worsening insecurity and leadership failure.

“As an organisation dedicated to advancing education and protecting the welfare of students, we are deeply concerned that innocent children continue to be targeted while pursuing their right to education.”

Obasi stressed that insecurity is discouraging school attendance and worsening Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.

NANS Pushes for Local Government Autonomy

National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, argued that granting full local government autonomy could help improve security at the grassroots level.

“If local governments are financially empowered, they will be better equipped to respond to these criminals and strengthen security within their jurisdictions,” he said.

Former NANS President Advocates Dedicated School Security Force

Former NANS President Lucky Emonefe called for the creation of a specialized security unit focused solely on protecting schools, particularly those located in rural communities where attacks are more frequent.

“The criminals are not targeting schools in major cities. Their focus is largely on schools in rural communities where security presence is weak. These institutions should be adequately protected because they have become soft targets,” he said.

He also called for more effective use of security budgets and urged governments at all levels to prioritize the protection of schoolchildren.

“Insecurity is a common enemy. Government must strengthen its response measures. When citizens see concrete action, they will have greater confidence that authorities are genuinely committed to addressing the challenge,” he added.

As concerns continue to mount, education stakeholders across Nigeria are united in one message: protecting schools, teachers and students must become an urgent national priority.

Security was significantly reinforced around the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday as activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, led a protest demanding the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers.

A combined team of anti-riot police officers, military personnel, and other security agencies mounted checkpoints around the State House and the Three-Arms Zone, restricting access to only individuals with valid State House identification.

Security operatives were stationed at major entry points from as early as 8 a.m., conducting thorough vehicle inspections and turning back unauthorised persons. The heightened security presence led to traffic congestion in several parts of the Federal Capital Territory.

The development followed Sowore’s earlier warning to President Bola Tinubu, in which he vowed to lead a march to the Presidential Villa if the abducted pupils and teachers from Oyo State were not rescued.

“We’ll march to Aso Villa on Thursday if abducted Oyo pupils are not rescued.”

Sowore had called on the Federal Government to secure the release of the 46 teachers and pupils kidnapped on May 15 from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The former presidential candidate criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as its failure to tackle growing insecurity across the country.

“You can’t claim to be president, not doing your job.”

According to Sowore, the government has not done enough to protect citizens amid the increasing wave of kidnappings and violent attacks nationwide.

The abduction of the Oyo schoolchildren has generated widespread concern, prompting nationwide protests by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). Sowore joined residents and teachers who have continued to demand urgent government intervention.

“This is not about hype or social media grandstanding. This is about the life of children,” Sowore said while defending the demonstration against claims that it was politically motivated.

The protest comes amid rising public frustration over insecurity, with many Nigerians calling for stronger measures to safeguard schools and communities.

For the second time, protesters under the banner of the AAC and allied groups marched through major parts of Abuja, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of abducted pupils and teachers.

The demonstrators moved from Eagle Square through key roads including Shehu Shagari Way, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, and Aminu Kano Way, carrying placards with messages such as:

“Release our children and teachers unconditionally,”

“Teachers deserve security, not fear,”

“End the reign of fear in our schools,”

“Tinubu, rescue the children,” and

“School should be a sanctuary, not a crime scene.”

Addressing the protesters, Sowore challenged President Tinubu to either ensure the safe return of the victims or take responsibility for failing to protect Nigerians.

“You cannot claim to be president of Nigeria and then refuse to do the job of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. We are not here to beg anybody. We are just asking people who claim they are elected to protect Nigerians to do their work.”

He also criticised the large deployment of security personnel to monitor the protest, arguing that similar resources should be directed toward protecting schools and communities.

“Your children are also in schools. If the school becomes a ground for kidnapping, one day your children too will be kidnapped.”

The demonstration was sparked by the May 15, 2026 attack on schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, where about 39 students and seven teachers were abducted from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

On the same day, another 42 pupils were reportedly kidnapped from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba, Borno State.

In response to the Oyo incident, the Federal Government recently dispatched a high-level delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to the affected communities. The delegation also included the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Chief of Defence Staff.

President Tinubu has additionally approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and the deployment of a specialised rescue unit to strengthen efforts aimed at tackling kidnappings and improving security in vulnerable areas.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, to begin presenting his defence in the ongoing criminal defamation case filed against him over alleged remarks about President Bola Tinubu.

Justice Mohammed Umar gave the order after rejecting a request by Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, to postpone further proceedings until after the court’s annual vacation.

The judge ruled that hearing in the matter would continue on a daily basis, starting Friday, June 5, when Sowore is expected to formally open his defence.

Sowore, who is also an online publisher, is facing prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations that he falsely described President Tinubu as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts.

During Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that the matter was scheduled for June 4 to receive the response of the Chief Judge to a letter written by Sowore on May 19, 2026, seeking the reassignment of the case to another judge.

Kehinde told the court that he was served with the Chief Judge’s response on May 26. The letter, dated May 22, reportedly declined Sowore’s request and directed that the trial should proceed before the current judge.

Following this, the prosecution asked the court to order the defendant to commence his defence.

In response, Abubakar argued that part of the Chief Judge’s reply suggested that the defendant could file a formal application, which should then be heard in open court.

He further requested that the matter be adjourned until after the court vacation, citing Sowore’s intention to focus on preparations for the next presidential election.

However, Kehinde challenged that interpretation, insisting that the Chief Judge’s response did not direct the defendant to file any application for recusal.

“The letter from the Chief Judge of this court did not ask the defendant or his counsel to file an application for recusal. So, it is disingenuous for counsel to read into the letter an interpretation that the Chief Judge did not include in the letter,” Kehinde said.

Following arguments from both parties, Justice Umar reviewed the Chief Judge’s letter and agreed with the prosecution’s position.

“From the content of the letter, there is nowhere the defendant is asked to file an application before this court.

“This court is not denying the defendant the right to file any application. This can be done anytime before judgment,” Justice Umar said.

The judge noted that the matter had reached the stage where the defendant was required to present his case and subsequently directed Sowore to enter his defence.

Justice Umar also ordered that the proceedings continue on a day-to-day basis in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Despite the ruling, Sowore’s counsel again sought an adjournment until after the court vacation. The request was opposed by the prosecution, which maintained that the law required the defence to proceed immediately.

“The law is that the defendant shall proceed with his defence. There is no option. We are ready. There is no room for dilatory practice for a defendant facing a criminal trial,” Kehinde said.

He added that “the option left at this point is for the defence to continue or simply be foreclosed. It is either they continue, or they are foreclosed”.

The court subsequently adjourned the case until June 5, 2026, for Sowore to begin presenting his defence.