The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported a new attack on the 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line, marking the latest in a series of vandalism incidents that have severely disrupted power supply across the nation.
According to a statement released by Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, the incident occurred early Saturday morning, November 9, 2024, with multiple transmission towers sustaining significant damage.
The TCN report indicated that towers T306, T307, and T308 were vandalized, causing major disruptions to power transmission. Engineers from TCN attempted to re-energize the line, but it tripped. Subsequent inspections revealed extensive damage to the transmission infrastructure, including the theft of two spans of aluminium conductors.
The company expressed deep concern over what it described as a “growing trend of vandalism” targeting Nigeria’s power infrastructure, which is hampering the stability and expansion of the national grid.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby reports that vandals have once again attacked its 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line one in the early hours of Saturday,” the TCN statement read. “A patrol team discovered that transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 along line one had been vandalized, disrupting bulk power transmission along the route.”
The statement added that while power is still being supplied through an alternate circuit, urgent steps are underway to replace the stolen aluminium conductors.
The TCN highlighted an alarming trend of attacks within the Gwagwalada area, with recent incidents targeting key transmission lines. Among them were the Gwagwalada Kukuwaba Apo transmission line in December 2023 and the Gwagwalada Katampe line in February 2024.
The statement urged residents in affected communities to work closely with security forces to combat this challenge. “We once again appeal to the public, especially residents of communities hosting transmission lines and towers, to collaborate with TCN and security operatives in combating this menace. Vandalism of power installations is a disservice to us all and undermines efforts to strengthen the nation’s transmission system.”
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