Vandals steal aluminium conductor spans from Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line

• Vandals have stolen two aluminium conductor spans from the Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line
• The TCN says incessant vandalism affects its operations and the stability of the national grid
• Vandals have been on a rampage recently and disrupting the power supply

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said vandals attacked its 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line one in the early hours of Saturday and stole two spans of aluminium conductor from the line. 

In a statement signed by General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, posted on its official X handle on Sunday, November 10, TCN said its engineers tried to re-energise the line to no avail, but upon inspection, discovered that transmission towers T306, T307 and T308 along line 1 had been vandalised, disrupting bulk power transmission along the route.

It, however, added that efforts are underway to source replacement aluminium conductors for the two spans stolen from the line. 

The statement read, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby reports that vandals have again attacked its 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line 1 in the early hours of Saturday, 9th November 2024. 

“Early on Saturday, TCN engineers attempted to re-energise the 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line 1, but the line tripped. After efforts to reclose the line failed, a patrol team of TCN linesmen was dispatched to physically trace the line for faults. 

“Upon inspection, they discovered that transmission towers T306, T307 and T308 along line 1 had been vandalised, disrupting bulk power transmission along the route.

“Further examination revealed that the vandals had stolen two spans of aluminium conductor from line one. The Lokoja-Gwagwalada line is a double-circuit transmission line, and while TCN is still supplying bulk power through line two, efforts are underway to source replacement aluminium conductors for the two spans stolen from line one.”

Incessant vandalism poses challenge to our operation, TCN says

The TCN also noted that the frequent vandalism of its infrastructure poses significant challenges to its operations and hinders the expansion and stability of the national grid.

The company said, “The rising trend of vandalism targeting transmission lines and towers has become a significant challenge, severely impacting the country’s power infrastructure and hindering the expansion and stability of the national grid.

“This recent incident adds to an alarming pattern of attacks on the transmission network nationwide. 

“In the Gwagwalada area alone, recent acts of vandalism include the attack on the Gwagwalada-Kukuwaba-Apo transmission line on 10th December 2023, the Gwagwalada-Katampe line on February 26, 2024, and several others on that axis. Such acts of vandalism continue to disrupt the stability and growth of Nigeria’s national grid.

“We once again appeal to members of the public, especially residents of communities hosting transmission lines and towers, to collaborate with TCN and security operatives in combating this menace. 

“Vandalism of power installations is a disservice to us all and undermines efforts to strengthen the nation’s transmission system.”

Vandals have been on a rampage

In recent weeks, vandals have targeted transmission lines and disrupted power supply, especially in the northern part of Nigeria.

These disruptions have resulted in economic and affected business activities, as well as impacting the national grid.

As the TCN noted, recent acts of vandalism are part of the causes of the frequent collapse of the national grid, which has collapsed 105 times in the last 10 years, 93 times under President Muhammadu Buhari and 12 times in just 16 months of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In 2024 alone, it has collapsed more than nine times. In October the grid collapsed three consecutive times within one week on October 14, 15 and 19. It has also collapsed multiple times in November. The frequent grid collapse may stall Nigeria’s goal of achieving 6,000 megawatts (MW) of power by year-end.

Nigeria loses $26bn yearly to electricity shortages –Report

Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that Nigeria suffers an estimated annual economic loss of $26 billion due to electricity shortages, according to a report, Africa Trade Barometer, by the Standard Bank.

According to the report, businesses shore up electricity shortages by spending nearly $22 billion annually on off-grid fuel, which leads to increased operational costs.