The Transmission Company of Nigeria, on Sunday, declared that one of its critical infrastructures, the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line, was vandalised, making it the fifth of such incidents between February and March this year, leaving the country in the perpetual blackout.
On February 28, it was reported that vandals destroyed Tower 70 along its 330kV Gwagwalade-Katampe Transmission line in Abuja, making it the third transmission tower to be vandalised by vandals within five days, of that time.
The continued destruction of TCN towers is raising concern among stakeholders, as some persons have called on the Federal Government to deploy security agents to the transmission company to investigate the incessant situation.
On Sunday, TCN’s spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, while announcing the latest vandalism at the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line, said, “At approximately 9 am this morning, the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line experienced a trip.
“Following initial investigations, TCN engineers attempted to restore operation but were unsuccessful. Subsequently, efforts were made to identify the fault location. Hence, linesmen were dispatched to physically patrol the suspected area.
“During the fault tracing process, vigilante team leaders in the vicinity notified TCN linesmen of vandalism along the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line. TCN personnel confirmed the vandalisation of the 330kV Shiroro-Katampe transmission line 1, from Towers 244 to 245, and the conductors are stolen.”
Mbah said TCN was “currently mobilising for conductor replacement, pending completion of security operations at the site. Nevertheless, the second line remains fully operational, transmitting at full capacity to Abuja, in conjunction with the Gwagwalada 330kV line serving the Kukwaba-Apo axis.”
She also stated that the wheeling capacity of TCN towards Abuja and environs would be enhanced by the Lokoja – Gwagwalada 330kV transmission line.
The company noted that this incident had added to a series of vandalism incidents recorded by TCN in February 2024, including the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalade-Katampe transmission line on February 26, 2024.
It said, “Other incidents include the vandalism of towers 377 and 378 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line on February 23, 2024, and the attack on towers 145 to 149 and 201 to 218 along the Owerri-Ahoda 132kV transmission line on February 15, 2024.
“Additionally, on February 1, 2024, Tower number 388 along the Jos-Bauchi 132kV single circuit transmission line collapsed due to vandalism.
“These acts of sabotage are unacceptable, and TCN urges relevant security agencies and host communities to collaborate in apprehending the perpetrators.
“Protection of the nation’s transmission infrastructure is paramount, and collective efforts are required to curb these incidents.”
TCN urged Nigerians to assist in reporting such acts of vandalism, describing electricity infrastructure as a national asset, as safeguarding it was a collective responsibility.
Credit: Punch