The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed reports that it cut off of power supply to Niger Republic.

The TCN said the move is part of the sanctions slapped on the country by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following last week’s coup that toppled the government of President Mohamed Bazoum, and ushered in a military government.

The TCN has however said that the electricity connection that supplies power to Niger Republic comes directly from the national grid, therefore it has no bearing on the supply of power to any region in the country.

Niger Republic, one of the world’s poorest countries, depends on Nigeria for 70 percent of its power.

The move has however been criticized by some Nigerians, who have noted that Niger could retaliate by building a dam on the River Niger, which would then affect the Kainji Dam in Niger state, which supplies a substantial amount of electricity in the country.