Four communities in Katsina State erupted in protest on Sunday over a power outage that residents say has plunged them into darkness for six straight months, crippling essential services and worsening security challenges.

Hundreds of demonstrators converged on Barhim, demanding the immediate restoration of electricity to Abuja Quarters, Barhim Layout, Sha’iskawa and Tigirmis Quarters. The crowd marched peacefully with placards, insisting that government officials must “end the suffering now.”

Usman Mohammad-Alqasim, who spoke on behalf of the affected communities, said the blackout has pushed thousands of households into hardship with no explanation from authorities.

“For half a year, our communities have been cut off from the national grid,” he told reporters. “No one has given us a clear reason for this kind of neglect.”

Illegal Structures Blamed for Outage

Mohammad-Alqasim explained that the crisis began after the discovery of illegal buildings under a 33kV transmission line — structures the state government initially ordered demolished.

However, he said the demolition exercise was suddenly halted after the intervention of Batagarawa Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Kawo.

“Some buildings were removed at first, then everything stopped,” he said. “The chairman claimed funds had been released to relocate the power line, but months later, there’s no sign of work on the ground.”

He added that, ironically, the houses originally marked for demolition now have electricity restored, while the larger communities remain in complete darkness.

Darkness Breeds Insecurity

The Village Head of Barhim Layout, Sirajo Aminu, described the six-month blackout as a humanitarian concern, saying the absence of electricity has emboldened criminals and strained basic living conditions.

“Insecurity has worsened since the power went out,” he said. “We’ve recorded more cases of theft, and many households struggle to get water. Without power, even simple daily routines have become difficult.”

Aminu called on the state government to step in urgently, not only to restore power but also to provide essential infrastructure such as schools, healthcare facilities and proper drainage.

Authorities Promise Action

Residents vowed to sustain their protests until electricity is restored, accusing the authorities of allowing an avoidable situation to linger unnecessarily.

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Responding to the unrest, Batagarawa Council Chairman, Yahaya Kawo, acknowledged the grievances and assured the communities that a solution was already in motion.

“We are working on it,” he said, promising that the issue would be addressed “this week.”