The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has revealed that over 18 transmission towers were vandalized in just five days, between January 9 and January 14, 2025. The attacks occurred across Rivers, Abia, and Kano States, severely impacting the stability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
TCN’s General Manager of Transmission for the Port Harcourt Region, Engr. Emmanuel Okpa, stated that linesmen discovered significant damage during routine patrols on January 10, 2025. The affected towers included numbers 171 to 181 and tower 184. Vandals struck again on January 14, targeting towers 146, 147, and 149 along the Owerri/Ahoada 132kV line in Rivers State. The attackers removed critical base brackets, leaving the towers at risk of collapse.
In Abia State, Engr. Azuh Lucky, Head of the Lines Department, reported that towers 160 to 162 on the Alaoji/Umuahia 132kV line were under repair when bolts, nuts, and structural components were stolen on January 13. Similarly, in Kano State, towers 105, 106, and 107 along the Katsina-Gazoua 132/33kV transmission line suffered critical damage on January 9, threatening their structural integrity.
Adding to the crisis, TCN engineers discovered vandalized underground transmission cables near Millennium Park in Abuja on January 17. The damaged cables disrupted power supply to Abuja’s central areas and nearby communities.
In a statement, TCN’s General Manager on Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, described the attacks as a major obstacle to the company’s operations.
“We have bolstered security measures, increased lines 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 recognize that the transmission network is our collective asset and essential for our socioeconomic development.”
Mbah highlighted the financial burden of frequent repairs and the negative impact on grid stability, stressing the need for collective action to safeguard Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
“TCN’s grid expansion plans are under tremendous strain due to the persistent vandalism of its installations. The financial implications of constant repairs to vandalized transmission installations, along with the stress on the grid, are having adverse effects on TCNs grid expansion drive.”
