Vandalism Disrupts National Power Grid, Urgent Action Needed

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised serious concerns over the increasing rate of vandalism targeting transmission lines and towers, warning that these attacks are significantly disrupting the country’s power grid and infrastructure. TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, made the statement following a recent incident where vandals damaged key transmission assets.

Vandals Attack Key Transmission Line in Kogi
TCN reported that in the early hours of Saturday, vandals attacked the 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line 1, forcing a temporary disruption of bulk power supply in the region. TCN engineers attempted to re-energize the line but encountered difficulties, triggering a patrol by linesmen to inspect the cause of the fault. Upon inspection, the team found that transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 had been vandalized, with two spans of aluminum conductors stolen.

Despite the damage, the company emphasized that power supply was not fully compromised, as the second line of the double-circuit transmission system remained operational. TCN is now working to replace the stolen conductors, but the incident underscores the growing threat of vandalism to the nation’s power infrastructure.

Worsening Trend: A Growing Crisis for the National Grid
The attack on the Lokoja-Gwagwalada line is part of a troubling pattern of vandalism affecting TCN’s operations across the country. In recent months, there have been multiple incidents of transmission line attacks in the Gwagwalada area, including the Gwagwalada-Kukuwaba-Apo and Gwagwalada-Katampe lines. These persistent attacks have not only caused widespread power outages but are also hindering the expansion and stability of the national electricity grid.

TCN has expressed alarm over the increasing frequency of these acts of sabotage, highlighting their severe impact on the nation’s energy security. The company warns that continued vandalism could impede efforts to improve power supply and develop more reliable energy infrastructure across the country.

Calls for Community Cooperation to Combat Vandalism
In response to the escalating threat, TCN has urged communities hosting transmission lines and towers to collaborate with the company and security agencies in addressing the issue. Mrs. Mbah called for greater vigilance and community involvement in reporting suspicious activities around critical infrastructure, stressing that these acts of vandalism undermine national development and hinder efforts to improve the electricity supply.

“We appeal to the public, especially residents of areas with transmission lines, to support TCN and security agencies in the fight against vandalism,” she stated. “The destruction of power installations is not just a crime against TCN, but a disservice to all Nigerians who rely on a stable power supply.”

Urgent Need for Solutions to Prevent Future Attacks
As the frequency of these attacks continues to rise, experts and stakeholders have called for more stringent measures to safeguard Nigeria’s power infrastructure. This includes increasing security around critical transmission facilities and exploring technological solutions to detect and prevent acts of vandalism before they cause significant damage.

TCN remains committed to restoring affected lines and ensuring uninterrupted power supply, but it has warned that a collaborative effort is needed to secure the future of Nigeria’s power sector. Without addressing the root causes of these attacks, the stability and growth of the national grid will remain under threat.