- Transmission Company of Nigeria said over 18 transmission towers were vandalised across three states in January
- It said vandalisation threatens its operations and efforts to expand the national grid
- Multiple acts of vandalism were reported across the country in 2024
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says over 18 transmission towers were vandalised across Abia, Rivers, and Kano States between January 9 and 14, 2025.
According to a statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs of TCN, Ndidi Mbah, shared on the company’s official X page on Sunday, January 19, the vandalisations disrupted power transmission operations and impacted Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
The statement noted that the damages to power infrastructure were discovered by TCN’s linesmen during routine patrols.
It said that in Rivers State, towers 171 through 181 and tower 184 along the Owerri/Ahoada 132kV line were found vandalised on January 10, 2025.
On January 14, additional towers, including 146, 147, and 149, were targeted by vandals who removed the base brackets, thereby compromising their stability.
In Abia State, TCN said the Head of the Lines Department for the region, Engr Azuh Lucky, reported that the Alaoji/Umuahia 132kV line, already undergoing repairs, was targeted by vandals who struck towers 160 to 162 on January 13, stealing bolts, nuts, and structural components.
It said that in Kano State, vandals damaged towers 105, 106, and 107 along the Katsina-Gazoua 132/33kV transmission line on January 9, compromising their structural integrity and risking their collapse.
The statement added that TCN engineers discovered vandalised 132kV underground transmission cables near Millennium Park in Abuja, on January 17, 2025, which disrupted the power supply to the Central Area and surrounding districts.
Power infrastructure vandalisation threatens our operations – TCN
TCN further noted that the recurring acts of vandalism of power infrastructure across the country threaten its operations and undermine its efforts to expand the national grid.
The company added that though it has bolstered security measures by increasing lines patrols and vigilante groups, and partnered with security operatives, the collaboration of host communities is needed to stem the tide.
The statement read, “These incidents pose a significant challenge to our operations as a company. We have bolstered security measures, increased line patrol, and the number of vigilante groups, and we are also collaborating with security operatives.
“However, we need and are appealing for the full support of every Nigerian, particularly those in communities hosting our installations. We must collectively recognise that the transmission network is our collective asset and essential for our socio-economic development.
“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.
“TCN’s grid expansion plans are under tremendous strain due to the persistent vandalism of its installations. The financial implications of constant repairs to vandalised transmission installations, along with the stress on the grid, are having adverse effects on the TCN grid expansion drive.
“This is a clarion call for everyone to join forces with TCN to put an end to this menace and safeguard our electricity network.”
Multiple cases of vandalism were reported in 2024
Nigeria’s power sector is beset with challenges including poor power supply, estimated billing, tariff hikes, recurring grid collapse, poor infrastructure, and vandalism of facilities, among others.
The TCN reported that vandals disrupted the ongoing repair of the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132 kilovolt (kV) line and stole tower components from Benin-Egbin and Benin-Omotosho 330 kV transmission lines.
It also stated that vandals attacked the 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line one in early November and stole two spans of aluminum conductors from the line. Vandals also destroyed two transmission towers along the vital 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines, which led to a 1,800MW loss on the grid.
The incessant attacks on transmission lines have disrupted power supply across the country, notably in the northern part of Nigeria. These disruptions have resulted in economic and affected business activities, as well as impacting the national grid.
N8.8 billion spent on repairs of 128 vandalised power towers, says TCN
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said the Federal Government spent N8.8 billion on repairs of vandalised power transmission towers across the country between January and November 2024.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engineer Suleiman Ahmed Abdulaziz, disclosed this at the Quarterly Power Sector Working Group meeting in Abuja.
