[VIDEO] Viral Blackout: Power Failure Overshadows Disu’s Takeover as Acting IGP

An event that was meant to be a solemn leadership transition at the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja quickly morphed into a viral moment of unintended comedy when a sudden power outage disrupted proceedings mid-ceremony.

The blackout occurred on Wednesday as former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun formally handed over to his successor, Tunji Disu.

Business Hallmark had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu appointed Disu as Acting IGP following Egbetokun’s resignation on Monday.

As dignitaries, senior officers, journalists and invited guests gathered for the event, the hall was suddenly thrown into darkness when the power supply went off. Within minutes, video clips of the awkward interruption began circulating online, triggering a wave of reactions across social media platforms.

For many Nigerians, the incident was a familiar script – what is popularly described as “NEPA taking light,” a phrase rooted in the defunct National Electric Power Authority and still widely used to describe abrupt outages. The country recorded multiple national grid collapses last year, a pattern that has persisted this year, intensifying public frustration over erratic electricity supply.

Amid the confusion, however, it was the master of ceremonies who unexpectedly stole the spotlight. In a now-viral clip, the MC is heard urging attendees, “Please be careful with the light switches please,” in what many interpreted as a hasty attempt at damage control. The line quickly became meme fodder.

On X (formerly Twitter), Nigerians responded with a mix of humor, sarcasm and biting social commentary.

User MaziTundeEdnut, @originalproflle, wrote: “NEPA took light during IG handover, MC lie ontop switch head say ‘Please be careful with the light switches please.’”

Morris Monye (@Morris_Monye) described the episode as symbolic: “This is as Nigeria as it gets. Looks ominous too.”

Another user, Nfunaala (@TochiPN), referenced past national embarrassments: “If Nepa can take light when Buhari was talking as a sitting president, who is IGP.”

Some reactions were more critical. JezebelReborn (@JezebelReborn) wrote: “No let them keep deceiving themselves ‘we have steady power supply.’ Nigerians will learn the hard way, if they don’t remove this evil party.”

WarriOfLagos (@iamjlamar1) questioned the explanation offered by the MC: “The MC could’ve just kept quiet until power was restored, wdym ‘please be careful with the light switches’? So you mean all the switches were turned off at the exact same time or all the lights are controlled by one switch? We need to stop making silly excuses for the simplest things.”

Oyindamola (@dammiedammie35) echoed the sentiment, reposting the MC’s remark and describing it as “damage control” the moment “Nepa took the light when the new IG wanted to address the press.”

For trenda4naija (@trenda4naija), the incident was a stark reminder of systemic challenges: “See embarrassment. Even top officials no fit escape the same power wahala wey ordinary citizens dey face daily. Na reality check say infrastructure still far from where e suppose reach.”

Obiasogu David (@afrisagacity) summed up the viral mood: “The new IGP just took the stage to address the press, including a global audience, when NEPA cut power. The MC tried to do damage control, but everyone already knew what happened! NEPA welcomed the IGP with darkness and showed the world the stuff we are made of!”

Despite the disruption, Disu,  a seasoned officer who previously served in the Lagos command, proceeded with his address once electricity was restored. He focused on professionalism, operational efficiency and public safety, outlining his vision for strengthening the force.

Watch video below: