Nigeria: Aba Suffers Blackout After Pipeline Attack; Gunmen Kill Prophet in Ogun Church

January 19, 2025 – Nigeria – 

In two disturbing events highlighting Nigeria’s infrastructure and security crises, residents in Aba, Abia State, experienced a sudden blackout after gas pipeline vandalism, while in Ogun State, a prophet was brutally killed during a church service.

On January 19, 2025, vandals targeted gas pipelines supplying the Geometric Power Plant in Aba, disrupting what had been a month-long streak of uninterrupted electricity for the city. The attack, aimed at illegally tapping crude oil from nearby lines, inadvertently severed the gas supply essential for power generation. According to Aba Power Ltd., a subsidiary of Geometric Power, the incident interrupted services across nine local government areas under the Aba Ringfence.

Company MD Ugo Opiegbe expressed regret over the disruption, citing the challenges of restoring supply without full gas access. Although alternative power from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company was temporarily redirected, it could not sustain full coverage. This outage undermined what had been hailed as a local power stability success and renewed public calls for improved pipeline security and energy infrastructure protection.

Meanwhile, in Idiroko, Ogun State, tragedy struck at the Celestial Church of Christ (Eagle Parish) when three armed men stormed the sanctuary during Sunday service. Prophet Yomi Adetula (54) was singled out, shot multiple times, and then mutilated with an axe. The attackers, masked and carrying long-barreled weapons, fled toward the Lagos border before authorities could respond.

Worshippers fled in terror, and police arrived to find Adetula’s lifeless body near the altar. Ogun State Police PRO Omolola Odutola confirmed an investigation is underway, though no arrests have yet been made. The motive remains unclear, but the brutality has shocked the local community.