Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has raised the alarm over an unprecedented wave of vandalism targeting its infrastructure, with over 18 transmission towers and cables damaged across Rivers, Abia, Kano, and Abuja within six days.
The incidents, according to TCN, which occurred between January 9 and 14, 2025, have disrupted power supply in affected areas, threatened grid stability, and placed significant strain on the company’s grid expansion projects.
Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, who disclosed this in a statement, called on Nigerians to join forces with the company to put an end to the menace and safeguard the nation’s electricity network.
“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,” Mbak said.
“Routine patrols on January 10 uncovered damage to towers 171 through 181 and tower 184. On January 14, vandals also targeted towers 146, 147, and 149 along the Owerri/Ahoada 132kV line, removing base brackets and compromising the structural stability of the towers,” the statement quoted
Engr. Emmanuel Okpa, General Manager of Transmission for the Port Harcourt Region.
“In Abia, vandals struck on January 13, stealing bolts, nuts, and structural members from towers 160 to 162 on the Alaoji/Umuahia 132kV line, which was under repair,” Engr. Azuh Lucky, Head of the Lines Department for the region, confirmed the thefts, adding that the actions have further delayed repair work on the line.
“Similarly, in Kano, vandals critically damaged towers 105, 106, and 107 on the Katsina-Gazoua 132/33kV transmission line on January 9, compromising their structural integrity and risking collapse.
“In Abuja, TCN engineers discovered vandalized underground 132kV transmission cables near Millennium Park in the early hours of January 17. This led to power outages in the Central Area and its environs.
“These incidents pose a significant challenge to our operations as a company. 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.”
Despite bolstering security measures, increasing patrols, and collaborating with vigilante groups and security operatives, TCN insists the issue requires collective national effort.
“We must recognize that the transmission network is our collective asset and essential for our socio-economic development,” Mbah emphasized.
The company further called on community members hosting TCN installations to support the fight against vandalism and economic sabotage.
