SPECIAL REPORT | KATSINA TIMES

Fire Guts IBB Way Injection Substation, Triggers Power Outage Across Katsina Metropolis

Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times, January 5, 2026 —

A fire incident at the IBB Way Injection Substation in Katsina has disrupted electricity supply across key parts of the state capital, raising concerns among residents and business operators over its immediate and potential economic impact.

The incident, which occurred late Sunday night, January 4, involved a 15MVA TR3 power transformer at the facility, according to the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO). While no casualties were reported, the fire led to the isolation of the affected infrastructure as a safety measure, resulting in a widespread outage.

Areas affected by the blackout include Kofar Kaura, Government Reserved Area (GRA), Dandagoro, parts of Kofar Marusa, Janbango, Kano Road, and adjoining neighbourhoods—zones that host a mix of residential districts, commercial hubs, government offices, and small-scale industries.

Business Activities Disrupted

Findings by Katsina Times indicate that the outage has slowed commercial activities in several parts of the city. Small and medium-scale enterprises, including cold room operators, welders, water vendors, eateries, and ICT service providers, reported increased operating costs as many were forced to rely on petrol and diesel generators.

“We had to shut down early because running generators throughout the day is no longer profitable,” said a food vendor along Kano Road. Similarly, shop owners in Kofar Kaura and Dandagoro noted reduced customer traffic due to the lack of power, especially during peak business hours.

In the GRA and parts of Kofar Marusa, residents expressed concern over security and household inconvenience, particularly as the incident occurred during the dry season when electricity demand is typically high.

KEDCO Responds

In an official statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communication, Sani Bala Sani, KEDCO confirmed the incident and stated that the cause of the fire is yet to be determined. The company said its technical teams are currently on ground to investigate the cause, assess the extent of the damage, and work towards restoring supply “in the shortest possible time.”

“As a safety precaution, the affected areas have been isolated to protect lives and property,” the statement noted, while assuring customers that safety and timely restoration remain top priorities.

Awaiting Restoration Timeline

As of the time of filing this report, KEDCO had not provided a definite timeline for full restoration of power. However, residents and business operators are calling for swift intervention, given the strategic importance of the affected areas to Katsina’s local economy.

Katsina Times will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as investigation and repair works progress.