By Chimaobi Afiauwa, Abuja
As the pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mounts on the military junta in Niger to return the country to democratic rule, Nigeria’s president and leader of the regional bloc, Bola Tinubu, has executed one decisive economic sanction on the landlocked country by disconnecting its power supply.
Nigeria disconnected the supply of 150 megawatts (MW) of electricity daily to the neighbouring country.
The disconnection was effected by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, which was directly involved in the transmission of power on Tuesday night, Vanguard reports.
Although the Managing Director/CEO of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, could not confirm the report, a source in the organization who pleaded for anonymity did.
The source said, “It is true Niger was disconnected from the national grid last night based on the instruction of the government. Nigeria used to supply 150 megawatts (MW) of power to Niger.
“It is a total disconnection in line with ECOWAS’s moves to restore democracy in that country.”
Since the Nigerien military overthrew the democratically elected president of the country, ECOWAS has been mounting pressure on the coupists to reinstate ousted President Bazoum.
The supranational body has also threatened Niger with economic sanctions and a possible military invasion as a last resort if other efforts to restore the landlocked country fail.
Recall that ECOWAS had given the Nigerien military junta a seven-day ultimatum to do so.
And as reported by MUK TV, the Defense Chiefs of ECOWAS member states began a three-day strategic meeting in Abuja on Wednesday to discuss the next line of action.
