TCN warns of rising vandalism on power infrastructure

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised concerns over the increasing incidents of vandalism targeting transmission lines and towers, warning that such actions are disrupting the national power grid and straining the country’s energy infrastructure.
In a statement on Saturday, TCN General Manager Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed that vandals had attacked the 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line early that morning.
TCN engineers detected an issue when they attempted to restore power to the line, which tripped.
After efforts to reclose the line failed, a patrol team dispatched for inspection discovered significant damage, including the vandalism of towers T306, T307, and T308, resulting in disrupted power transmission.
The company confirmed that vandals had stolen two spans of aluminum conductors from the line, and efforts are underway to replace them.
Although the Lokoja-Gwagwalada line is a double-circuit line, TCN continues to supply power through the second circuit while replacements are sourced.
“This growing trend of vandalism is impacting the stability and growth of Nigeria’s national grid,” Mbah stated.
“In the Gwagwalada area alone, recent attacks include vandalism of the Gwagwalada-Kukuwaba-Apo transmission line in December 2023 and the Gwagwalada-Katampe line in February.”
TCN urged residents of communities hosting transmission infrastructure to work alongside security operatives to prevent further incidents.
“Vandalism of power installations undermines efforts to strengthen the nation’s transmission system,” the company appealed.