“Save Our Salah Meat”: Kaduna Residents Fault Kaduna Electric Over 4-Day Blackout Ahead of Eid, Families Fear Food Spoilage, Accuse Service Providers of Neglect

By Zainab Tanimu

Residents under 33KV Mogadishu electrical feeder, a Band A feeder, have cried out over what they described as an unbearable four-day blackout, calling on the management of Kaduna Electric to urgently restore power before the Eid al-Adha celebration.

Reason for the current blackout given by the Kaduna Electric notwithstanding, the residents, visibly frustrated, said the prolonged outage has thrown households into confusion and anxiety, especially as Muslims prepare for the annual slaughtering of rams to commemorate Eid al-Adha, popularly known as Ileya in Nigeria.

Many fear that if electricity is not restored before the festivities, large quantities of meat and other food items stored in freezers may get spoiled, worsening the economic hardship already facing families.

Another resident, Mallam Abdulazeez, expressed frustration over the timing of the outage, noting that many families had already spent huge amounts purchasing rams and food items for the celebration.

“After spending thousands of naira to buy ram for Ileya, what will happen to the meat now that there is no light?” he asked angrily.

For many housewives in the areas visited, the situation has become both emotionally draining and financially burdensome.

Some explained that they may be forced to fry large quantities of meat immediately after slaughter to prevent spoilage — a process they described as stressful, expensive, and uneconomical.

“The meat meant for family consumption after sharing will finish quickly because everything may have to be fried at once,” a resident explained.

“Instead of helping people manage the present hardship, the power company is making life even more difficult for residents.”

Another woman, who said she is not even celebrating Ileya, questioned who would bear responsibility for spoiled food items and frozen stocks already affected by the prolonged blackout.

“What about those of us who have foodstuff and business items in our freezers? Who will pay for the damages?” she queried.

“Honestly, service providers in this country do whatever they like to customers and go scot-free. People are suffering.”

Residents also questioned the effectiveness of the electricity billing bands introduced by distribution companies, arguing that despite classifications such as Band A, B, and E, consumers continue to endure poor service delivery without accountability.

As the Eid celebration draws closer, affected families say they urgently need intervention to prevent what could become another layer of hardship during a period meant for joy, sharing, and celebration.

“We just want light,” one resident said helplessly. “That is all we are asking for.”

Residential & Commercial Areas under this feeder are Poly Quarters, Badikko, Chanchangi Layout, Mashi Road, Jajere Road, Leventis, Sardauna Crescent, and Makarfi Plaza.