TCN laments rising activities of vandals on transmission lines, towers
Story by Victor Itodo ABUH
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has voiced serious concern over the escalating incidents of vandalism affecting transmission lines and towers, cautioning that these acts are significantly disrupting the country’s power grid and infrastructure.
In a statement, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, responded to the destruction of the 330 kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line I, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
“TCN reports that its 330 kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line 1 was attacked by vandals early on Saturday.
“Efforts by TCN engineers to re-energise the line early Saturday morning were unsuccessful as the line tripped. When attempts to restore the line failed, a team of TCN linesmen was sent to trace any faults.
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“Upon inspection, they found that transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 had been vandalised, disrupting the bulk power transmission along that route.”
The company further reported that two spans of aluminium conductors had been stolen, with efforts underway to procure replacements and restore the line.
“The Lokoja-Gwagwalada line is a double-circuit transmission line. Although TCN is still transmitting bulk power through line II, work is ongoing to source replacement aluminium conductors for the damaged sections of line 1,” the statement read.
Mrs Mbah highlighted the growing trend of vandalism as a serious issue affecting Nigeria’s power infrastructure and hampering the stability and expansion of the national grid.
“This recent incident is part of a troubling pattern of attacks on the transmission network across the country.
“In the Gwagwalada region alone, previous acts of vandalism include the attack on the Gwagwalada-Kukuwaba-Apo transmission line on 10th December 2023, the Gwagwalada-Katampe line on 26th February, and several other incidents in the area.
“These acts of vandalism continue to undermine the reliability and growth of the national grid,” the company stated.
The TCN urged local communities to support its efforts and work alongside security operatives to prevent further damage.
“We urge the public, especially those in communities hosting transmission lines and towers, to collaborate with TCN and security agencies to tackle this threat. Vandalism of power infrastructure is a setback for everyone and weakens efforts to fortify the nation’s transmission network,” the company said.
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