Sokoto Electricity Consumers Plan Mass Protest Over ‘billing for darkness’

Residents across several communities in Sokoto State are mobilising for a large-scale protest against what they describe as persistent poor electricity supply and unfair billing by Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO).

The affected consumers, drawn from areas including Danbuwa, Tamaje, Old Airport, Sabaru, Mabera, and Kwannawa, said they have endured months of erratic or near-zero electricity while still receiving estimated bills, an arrangement they insist is unjust.

At separate meetings held across the communities, residents expressed frustration that while some parts of the state reportedly enjoy 10 to 15 hours of electricity daily, their own areas barely receive up to two hours in an entire week.

Speaking ahead of the planned demonstration, community representatives said formal notifications had already been sent to key institutions, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Labour Congress, as well as security agencies like the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Services.

According to Malam Ibrahim, who spoke on behalf of protesters alongside other community leaders, the move is aimed at ensuring a peaceful protest while drawing national attention to their plight.

“This protest is to tell KAEDCO that enough is enough. We cannot continue to tolerate what we consider inhumane treatment,” he said.

The group is demanding either migration to a service band that guarantees more stable electricity or a complete halt to billing for power not supplied. They also warned against disconnection attempts over disputed bills.

Although the exact date for the protest has not been made public, organisers say all necessary arrangements have been concluded, signalling their readiness to proceed.