- TCN spent N8.8 billion to repair 128 vandalised transmission towers from January to November 2024.
- Vandals and bandits repeatedly target critical transmission infrastructure, causing disruptions to Nigeria’s electricity supply.
- TCN calls for harsher penalties and increased security to combat rising vandalism and protect the national grid.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) spent N8.8 billion to repair 128 vandalised transmission towers between January and November 2024.
TCN’s Managing Director, Sule Abdulaziz, disclosed this at the quarterly power sector meeting in Abuja. The Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider, Olugbenga Ajiboye, who represented Abdulaziz, emphasised that vandalism severely affects the national grid.
Ajiboye noted that bandits and thieves frequently attack vital infrastructure. “We have seen 128 of our towers destroyed this year, and we’ve spent N8.8 billion restoring them,” he said.
He expressed frustration with how law enforcement handles vandals. Police often prosecute offenders for theft instead of vandalism. “Each time we catch vandals, they face theft charges and secure bail. This is unacceptable,” Ajiboye remarked.
Vandalism continues to rise, disrupting power transmission and worsening Nigeria’s electricity supply. Ajiboye pointed out that restoring damaged towers involves significant costs and repeated attacks slow progress.
The Ahoada-Yenagoa 132-kilovolt line and the Benin-Egbin and Benin-Omotosho 330-kilovolt lines remain critical targets of vandals. These disruptions have plunged parts of the Niger Delta into prolonged power outages.
Despite ongoing threats, TCN continues to repair the affected infrastructure. However, repeated sabotage creates major obstacles in restoring and maintaining power supply.
Ajiboye called for stricter legal measures to address the issue, urging authorities to treat vandalism more seriously and enforce more substantial penalties. “We need stricter punishments for vandalism if we want to protect our power infrastructure,” he said.
The rising cost of repairs strains TCN’s financial and operational resources. The company faces immense pressure while trying to restore power across the country. However, Ajiboye reassured Nigerians of TCN’s commitment to overcoming these challenges and ensuring a stable electricity supply.
He also called for enhanced security measures to protect critical infrastructure. Ajiboye urged better cooperation between TCN and security agencies to prevent further attacks on transmission lines.
The surge in vandalism presents a severe threat to Nigeria’s already unstable electricity grid. Without more robust security and legal enforcement, TCN warned that the country will continue to experience frequent outages and disruptions in power supply.
TCN’s ongoing efforts aim to stabilise the national grid, but the high cost of repairing towers remains a significant challenge. The company hopes that stricter laws and more robust security will help curb vandalism and reduce future repair costs.