Victor Ezeja
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has called for support of people, especially in communities hosting electric power installations in efforts to curb the activities of vandals.
The call came as over 18 electricity transmission towers were vandalised in five days across Abia, Kano and Rivers states.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to a statement signed by TCN General Manager Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the incidents happened between 9 and 14 January 2025.
These cases of vandalisation have caused substantial damage to power infrastructure across the country, with many affected areas thrown into blackout. The replacement of damaged power facilities poses a significant financial burden on the power authorities.
The Presidential Villa, Abuja was on Friday, thrown into darkness as power supply got disrupted due to theft of electricity cable in some parts of the area.
According to the TCN, some vandalized 132kV underground transmission cables were discovered by TCN engineers near Millennium Park in Abuja in the early hours of 17 January 2025. “This affected the power supply to the Central Area and its environs,” TCN stated.
Similarly, Aba Power Limited on Sunday raised the alarm that it has experienced power cut for the first time this year due to an attack on gas pipelines of suppliers.
The power transmission company narrated its experience with vandals in the states of Rivers, Abia and Kano in the last five days.
Rivers
The statement said TCN General Manager of Transmission for the Port Harcourt Region, Engr. Emmanuel Okpa, reported that during routine patrols by linesmen on 10 January 2025, it was discovered that towers 171 through 181 and tower 184 had been damaged. It added that on 14 January, vandals also targeted towers 146, 147, and 149 along the Owerri/Ahoada 132kV line in Rivers State, removing base brackets and compromising the stability of the towers.
Abia
The TCN further stated that in Abia State, Engr. Azuh Lucky, Head of the Lines Department for the Region, reported the theft of bolts, nuts, and structural members from towers 160 to 162 on the Alaoji/Umuahia 132kV line, which was under repair on 13 January 2025.
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Kano
It narrated that in Kano, towers 105, 106, and 107 along the Katsina-Gazoua 132/33kV transmission line were critically damaged by vandals on 9 January 2025, compromising their structural integrity and risking collapse.
The transmission company lamented that these incidents pose a significant challenge to its operations.
TCN said it has strengthened security measures around transmission facilities, including increasing lines patrol, and the number of vigilante groups, while also collaborating with security operatives to ensure better surveillance.
However these measures, it stated, are not sufficient, hence the need for “full support of every Nigerian, particularly those in communities hosting our installations. We must collectively recognise that the transmission network is our collective asset and essential for our socio-economic development.”
It warned that “The vandals and those who buy stolen materials are sabotaging the nation.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure the growth of the nation’s power sector, which is critical to the development of our country.”
The transmission company expressed concerns that its grid expansion plans face significant threat due to the persistent vandalism of its installations.
“The financial implications of constant repairs to vandalised transmission installations, along with the stress on the grid, are having adverse effects on TCN’s grid expansion drive.”
TCN therefore called on everyone to join forces with it to put an end to the menace of vandalism and theft to safeguard the electricity network across the country.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
