- TCN says Nigeria’s Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line was vandalized on Sunday, March 10.
- The incident was reported by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and despite initial attempts by TCN engineers to restore operation, it was discovered that the transmission line had been vandalized, with conductors stolen from Towers 244 to 245.
On Sunday, March 10. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported that one of its critical infrastructures, the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line, had been vandalized, making the fifth such incident between February and March 2024.
In a statement signed by Ndidi Mbah, the General Manager of Public Affairs at TCN, at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning, the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line experienced a trip. Following initial investigations, TCN engineers attempted to restore operation but were unsuccessful.
Subsequently, efforts were made to identify the fault location. Hence, linesmen were dispatched to physically patrol the suspected area.
During the fault tracing process, it was discovered that vigilante team leaders in the vicinity notified TCN linesmen of vandalism along the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line. TCN personnel confirmed that the 330kV Shiroro-Katampe transmission line 1 was vandalised from Towers 244 to 245, and the conductors were stolen.
A part of the statement read:
“TCN is currently mobilizing for conductor replacement, pending completion of security operations at the site. Nevertheless, the second line remains fully operational, in conjunction with the Gwagwalada 330kV line serving the Kukwaba-Apo axis.
“Also, the wheeling capacity of TCN towards Abuja and environs would be enhanced by the Lokoja- Gwagwalada 330kV transmission line. TCN is, however, making every effort to minimize the effect of the incident.”
TCN also notified the public of several other vandalism acts recorded in February 2024;
February 26, 2024: The destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalada-Katampe transmission line.
February 23, 2024: The vandalism of towers 377 and 378 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line.
February 15, 2024: There was an attack on towers 145 to 149 and 201 to 218 along the Owerri-Ahoda 132kV transmission line.
February 1, 2024: Tower number 388 along the Jos-Bauchi 132kV single circuit transmission line collapsed due to vandalism.
The TCN statement also read thus:
“These acts of sabotage are unacceptable, and TCN urges relevant security agencies and host communities to collaborate in apprehending the perpetrators. Protection of the nation’s transmission infrastructure is paramount, and collective efforts are required to curb these incidents. TCN calls upon all Nigerians to assist in reporting such acts of vandalism. Electricity infrastructure is a national asset, and safeguarding it is a collective responsibility.”
Last week, during an interview with CNBC Africa, Oti Ikomi, the Chief Executive Officer of Proton Energy, cited vandalism acts and several factors as being responsible for the current blackouts in the country.
He recommended that more Nigerians, especially government agencies, need to pay their bills regularly. He also said that the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), in collaboration with Siemens Energy, should be a fully packaged restructuring plan as opposed to just a transmission plan, and the progress should be reported to the President and the ministers of power and gas every fortnight to facilitate effective tracking and implementation.