reports that residents in several local government areas say the situation has moved beyond occasional interruptions, describing it as a continuous blackout that has paralysed homes, shops, and small-scale enterprises.

News gathered that the recurring electricity failure has become one of the state’s most serious challenges, with many communities experiencing little or no power supply for weeks at a time.

Small business owners say they are bearing the brunt of the crisis, especially those who rely on electricity for refrigeration, cold storage, and daily operations.

A frozen food seller in Badariya, Musa Abdullahi, said the prolonged blackout has forced him into repeated losses as he struggles to preserve perishable goods.

“I cannot afford a solar system that can carry my fridge and other appliances. I am losing customers every day because I have no way to preserve my goods,” he said.

Another trader in the Kara area of Birnin Kebbi said business turnover has dropped sharply due to poor electricity supply and rising generator fuel costs.

“Business has dropped seriously. Without light, customers don’t come like before. Even buying fuel for the generator is too expensive for small traders like us,” she said.

The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), which supplies power to Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kaduna States, remains the main operator responsible for electricity distribution in the state.

However, the company has faced sustained criticism over frequent load shedding, unstable supply, and inadequate power allocation to Kebbi communities.

KAEDCO has previously attributed the poor electricity supply to low national grid allocation, transmission constraints, and revenue challenges, which it says continue to affect distribution across its franchise areas.

To address the situation, the Kebbi State Government in April constituted a multi-stakeholder committee to engage KAEDCO over the persistent power challenges.

The committee was tasked with reviewing electricity supply levels, payment records, billing compliance, and operational bottlenecks affecting distribution in the state.

However, DAILY POST gathered that the committee has yet to submit its report, despite a two-week deadline set by the government from April 16, 2026.

The delay has left residents uncertain about any immediate resolution to the crisis.

Reacting to the worsening situation, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Yahaya Sarki, called for urgent intervention from the electricity company.

“KEDCO, wake up! People have been in darkness for days, this is unacceptable. Please act now. Your culture of silence is unbearable,” he said.

The comment has triggered widespread reactions, with residents across affected communities sharing similar complaints about prolonged blackout.

In Kawara community, residents said they have been without electricity for months due to a faulty transformer, with no repair in sight.

Many also lamented that alternative power solutions like solar systems remain unaffordable for most households.

Findings suggest that the ongoing blackout is linked to poor infrastructure maintenance and long-standing neglect in the power sector.

Several parts of Birnin Kebbi, including GRA and Kara feeders, are also affected, with residents reporting unstable or completely absent supply.

Communities along the Gesse to Rugga axis are said to have experienced over a month of continuous blackout, further worsening living conditions.

Meanwhile, the state government had earlier suspended its monthly N150 million support to the electricity distribution company, citing poor service delivery and ongoing complaints from residents.