The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised alarm over the increasing wave of vandalism targeting the country’s power infrastructure, following a recent attack on the 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line.
This latest act of sabotage comes amid ongoing efforts to restore power to areas affected by the earlier vandalism of the 330kV Shiroro-Kaduna lines.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the company revealed that the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday, November 9, 2024.
Vandals damaged transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 along the line, causing significant disruption to the power supply.
“On Saturday morning, TCN engineers attempted to re-energize the 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line, but the line tripped. After unsuccessful efforts to restore power, TCN linesmen were dispatched for a fault inspection,” the statement explained.
“Upon arrival, it was discovered that transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 had been vandalized, halting bulk power transmission.”
The company also reported the theft of two spans of aluminum conductors from the line, which has further delayed the restoration process.
Although the Lokoja-Gwagwalada line is a double-circuit transmission line, with power still being supplied through line two, TCN is now working to replace the stolen conductors.
This attack is part of a troubling pattern of vandalism targeting Nigeria’s national power grid.
TCN highlighted previous incidents of similar attacks in the Gwagwalada area, including damage to the Gwagwalada-Kukuwaba-Apo line in December 2023 and the Gwagwalada-Katampe line in February 2024.
The company expressed deep concern over the growing trend of vandalism, which it said has become a major threat to the stability and expansion of Nigeria’s power transmission network.
“Vandalism of power installations severely hampers our ability to provide reliable electricity and to expand the national grid,” the statement continued.
In response, TCN is calling on local communities and security agencies to collaborate in combating these criminal acts.
“We appeal to residents of communities hosting transmission lines and towers to join forces with TCN and security operatives to curb this menace. These acts of vandalism are a disservice to everyone and undermine our collective efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s power infrastructure,” the statement concluded.
