Unprecedented Attack: 18 Power Towers Vandalized, Plunging Nigeria’s Grid Into Chaos

Unprecedented Attack: 18 Power Towers Vandalized, Plunging Nigeria’s Grid Into Chaos

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported significant setbacks in the country’s power sector due to the vandalism of 18 transmission towers within just six days, spanning January 9 to…Unprecedented Attack: 18 Power Towers Vandalized, Plunging Nigeria’s Grid Into Chaos

January 14, 2025.

Details of the Vandalism
In a statement released on Sunday, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed that the affected towers were located across Rivers, Abia, and Kano States.

• Rivers State: TCN’s Port Harcourt Region General Manager, Emmanuel Okpa, confirmed vandalism on towers 171 through 181 and tower 184 along the 132kV Owerri/Ahoada line. The damage, discovered during a routine patrol on January 10, involved the removal of base brackets, leaving the towers unstable.
• Abia State: Azuh Lucky, Head of the Lines Department, reported theft of bolts, nuts, and structural components from towers 160 to 162 along the Alaoji/Umuahia 132kV line under repair as of January 13.
• Kano State: Towers 105, 106, and 107 along the Katsina-Gazoua 132/33kV line were targeted on January 9, severely compromising their structural integrity.

Adding to these challenges, TCN engineers in Abuja discovered vandalized underground cables near Millennium Park on January 17, disrupting power supply to central areas and nearby locations.

Call for Collective Responsibility
TCN appealed to Nigerians, particularly those in communities hosting critical infrastructure, to safeguard these assets.
“These incidents are a major operational challenge,” Mbah said. “We’ve increased security measures, expanded patrols, and collaborated with security agencies. However, we need public support to protect the transmission network, an essential asset for socioeconomic development.”

Impact and Financial Strain
The company emphasized the financial burden caused by constant repairs to vandalized infrastructure, stating that the sabotage jeopardizes grid expansion projects vital for Nigeria’s growth.
“Vandalism undermines our national development. Everyone must work together to stop this menace and protect the electricity network,” TCN stated.

Conclusion
The TCN reiterated the need for collective action against vandals and urged all stakeholders to join hands in safeguarding Nigeria’s power infrastructure.

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