The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Sunday reported another sabotage of its critical infrastructures, the fifth incident within February and March since the beginning of the year, as Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line was vandalized.
The company said in a statement by its spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, that the incident was noticed at approximately 9 a.m. on Sunday when the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line experienced a trip off.
Mbah said following initial investigations, TCN engineers attempted to restore operation, but were unsuccessful.
Subsequently, she said efforts were made to identify the fault location, resulting in linesmen being dispatched to physically patrol the suspected area.
During the fault tracing process, Mbah said vigilante team leaders in the vicinity notified TCN linesmen of vandalism along the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line.
The spokesperson said the TCN personnel later confirmed the vandalism of the 330kV Shiroro-Katampe transmission line 1, from Towers 244 to 245, with the conductors stolen.
She said the company mobilized for conductor replacement, pending completion of security operations at the site, although the second line remained fully operational, in conjunction with the Gwagwalada 330kV line serving the Kukwaba-Apo axis.
Also, Mbbah said the electricity wheeling capacity of TCN towards Abuja and environs would be enhanced by the Lokoja-Gwagwalada 330kV transmission line.
“TCN is working hard to minimise the adverse effect of these acts of sabotage on bulk power supply to Abuja and environs,” Mbah said.
She said the latest incident added to a series of vandalism incidents recorded by TCN in February 2024, including the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalade-Katampe transmission line reported on February 26, 2024.
Other incidents include the vandalism of towers 377 and 378 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line on February 23, 2024, and the attack on towers 145 to 149 and 201 to 218 along the Owerri-Ahoda 132kV transmission line on February 15, 2024.
Also, on February 1, 2024, she said Tower No. 388 along the Jos-Bauchi 132kV single circuit transmission line collapsed due to vandalism.
Mbah described these acts of sabotage as unacceptable, as the TCN has continued to urge relevant security agencies and host communities to collaborate in an effort to apprehend the perpetrators.
Protection of the nation’s transmission infrastructure, she pointed out, was paramount, and requiring the collective efforts of all stakeholders to curb these incidents.
“TCN calls upon all Nigerians to assist in reporting such acts of vandalism. Electricity infrastructure is a national asset, and safeguarding it is a collective responsibility,” Mbah said.
