The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), on Tuesday, announced that local
hunters have killed suspected vandals who attacked Towers T377, T378, and T379 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV line.
This is as the company recorded eight attacks on its infrastructure across the country in one month.
TCN’s General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah in a statement issued in Abuja, said from July 1 to August 11, 2024, TCN had faced a distressing increase in vandalism incidents affecting every transmission region.
To this end, she issued a grave warning over the surge in vandalism targeting the country’s power transmission infrastructure, stressing that the recent attacks have intensified the need for nationwide vigilance and cooperation, particularly from communities hosting these critical installations.
She said the spate of attacks has led to significant disruptions and heightened the urgency for collective action to prevent further damage and theft.
Breaking down the attacks on the company’s power infrastructure, Mbah, said on August 7, security forces apprehended vandals in a blue pick-up truck loaded with stolen tower components and cables from the Damboa/Maiduguri 132kV transmission line.
According to her, the suspects, captured by the Nigeria Police, are currently in custody at Damboa Police Station and will be transferred to the National Police Force Headquarters in Maiduguri.
“On August 11, 2024, towers T377, T378, and T379 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV line were attacked. In response, local hunters killed two of the vandals at the Damaturu end of the line
The region is still reeling from prior vandalism involving IEDs on nearby towers.
“Also between August 3 and 5, the Enugu Region saw attacks on towers T9 and T12 on the Apir-Aliede 330kV and Apir-Otukpo-Yandev 123kV lines, respectively. Local vigilantes managed to thwart the theft of a sky wire, but the yellow phase conductor was stolen, causing a power trip at the Apir Transmission Substation”, she said.
Mbah further disclosed that on July 24, in Osogbo, Osun State, Tower T328 on the 330kV Osogbo-Ganmo line was severely damaged, adding that emergency repairs have been conducted to prevent collapse while awaiting permanent reconstruction.
“Between July 19 and 25, in the Benin Region, towers T449 and T72 were vandalized. Quick temporary repairs by TCN engineers have prevented further structural failure.
“Also between July 29 and August 3, the Port Harcourt Region suffered attacks on Towers T98 and T99 along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line, leading to their collapse. Tower T97 also fell due to instability and storm damage. Reconstruction efforts are underway.
“The transmission lines from Jos to Maiduguri have been hit by multiple vandalism incidents, further straining the power network”, she said.
The company, however, urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to curb these destructive acts.