The Nigerian power sector has grappled with many technical and non-technical problems in the
past 50 years. A significant problem with the sector includes the inadequate gas supply to the
sector-dominated gas-fired power plants.
The availability of many generating units is also an issue, as many power-generating turbines either need to be repaired or require significant resuscitating CAPEX. Transmission infrastructure under the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is struggling with the lack of reactive power, low MVA, ageing systems, funding challenges, general mismanagement and lack of viable Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
The distribution sub-system is battling its challenges, including underinvestment in infrastructure, right-of-way issues, low metering, and capacity constraints due to low generation. The system is battling colossal technical and non-technical losses, a major investment risk.
A new (but old) entrant into the myriad of problems bedevilling the Nigerian electricity scene is the exacerbating vandalization of high-voltage transmission infrastructure.
Recently, there has been high-profile vandalization of transmission infrastructure in Nigeria.
While vandalism is not new in the power sector, the frequency of vandalization is unprecedented,
quadrupling in the last 15 weeks. In my count, there have been eight incidences of vandalization
on TCN’s high-voltage transmission lines in the last 14 weeks.
There were five incidences of collapsed 330kV transmission lines and four 132kV transmission lines. The incidents resulted in the collapse of 32 towers in total and one loss of life.
In addition to being a more rampant phenomenon, instances of vandalism have become more
sophisticated, with criminals resorting to explosives to sabotage transmission lines. Before now,
the vandalization of the transmission infrastructure has been attributed mainly to criminal
elements who sell these metal structures as scraps, accessories, and sabotage.
In December 2023, 3 transmission line towers along the Maiduguri – Damaturu 330kV transmission line were destroyed with explosives twice, which claimed the life of security personnel in one of the instances. The Jos – Bauchi 132kV transmission line was also jeopardized with remnants of explosives found at the location underneath Tower T388.
This is a new dimension in the vandalism of electricity assets as it points to direct, intentional, and well-coordinated attacks on national infrastructure aimed at crippling the system. The damage to transmission lines caused by vandals, in addition to increased electricity bills, causes many end users to incur irreparable losses in their electricity supply.
Such attacks disrupt electricity supply and pose grave safety risks to individuals, animals, and the
environment. These incidences send a discouraging message of risk to investors whose
investments will be critical to taking the sector to the next level of development.
Millions of dollars are required in parts procurement, engineering services, system tests, onsite installation, and commissioning costs to restore these damaged lines. The funds for these emergency interventions are usually sourced from funds earmarked for transmission system upgrades and other operational expenses.
These unplanned projects and rehabilitation brought about by this vandalism and “terrorism” are jeopardizing the ongoing efforts to expand the bulk electricity transmission systems. Moreover, the line disturbances introduced by damaged transmission lines jeopardize the overall grid stability, potentially leading to system collapses.
The evolving nature of electricity infrastructure vandalism underscores the need for concerted
efforts involving multiple stakeholders. Relevant stakeholders must combat this
budding approach of vandalism, particularly the use of explosives and coordinated attacks, as
witnessed twice in the Northeast part of Nigeria, a region with active elements of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
This new form of vandalism is akin to terrorism, coordinated and planned, as an attack on the national security of Nigeria and as such, the issue should be tackled as a national
security issue. Aside from considering this a national security issue and acting on it, possible actions, interventions and strategies can be taken to reduce, avert, and curb future occurrences of these destructive incidents.
First, it will be prudent to institute a strategic multi-security agency electricity infrastructure
taskforce consisting of the Nigerian Army, Airforce, Nigerian Police and Nigeria Security and
Civil Defence Corps will patrol and monitor these infrastructures. The Nigerian Airforce can
provide aerial surveillance of transmission lines, while the combination of other forces can offer
terrestrial monitoring and patrol.
The knowledge of the fact that there is active on-the-ground and aerial patrol will act as a deterrent to potential vandals. TCN can also implement an active stakeholder engagement platform for communities along the corridor of these transmission lines.
TCN can organize local vigilante groups to informally monitor the infrastructure within these host communities. A quick communication channel and platform must be established to report findings, suspicious activities, and other anonymous tips.
Community engagement and corporate social responsibility projects can be implemented across
these communities to help gain the trust of community dwellers and leaders. Many technological advancements can be deployed to augment other security efforts around these infrastructures.
Vibration sensors can be used to monitor excessive frequencies, which are peculiar to unbolting, sawing, milling, cutting, and gouging activities, which are the major ways of vandalizing these metal structures of power transmission towers. In addition, a possible method is to install cameras on the towers for surveillance with an operating centre for remote monitoring.
A hypothetical method can be satellite imagery and high-resolution cameras from aerial surveillance. This aerial surveillance can be done through drone technologies, which
can complement the Nigerian Airforce activities.
A key stakeholder in this can be the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), an organization which owns and operates the Nigerian Satellite Systems, under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, has been making giant strides (in my opinion), under the leadership of Jane Egerton-Idehen and Bosun Tijani as Minister.
Improved vegetation management along the transmission lines is also necessary, as this provides
cover for criminals and vandals. Poor vegetation management impedes access to this
infrastructure in case of emergency intervention.
Another possible way to deter the vandalization of electricity transmission infrastructure is what
this author termed “The Infrastructure Highway”, the details of which will be subject to another
post in the near future. The provisions of Part XX, section 209, of the Electricity Act (EA) 2023,
which defines electricity theft and stipulates the requisite punishment for convicted offenders –
N500,000 ($470) fine and/or up to 5 years imprisonment must be fully implemented.
It should be noted that the author believes these punishments are too lenient for the
transmission infrastructure damage as they do not reflect the damage done. The fine stipulated
in EA 2023 cannot even pay for the service of a technician for a day in some cases.
Therefore, this section’s provision should reflect the damage caused by vandals by
increasing convicted offenders’ fines and jail terms. This may necessitate an amendment of
this section of the Electricity Act.
In all, these recommendations should not overshadow the root cause of this vandalism. It is an
attribute of a society with failing socioeconomic indices, insecurity, poverty, and lack of
patriotism.
Addressing the root causes of vandalism requires a broader societal approach, encompassing economic development, social interventions, job creation, national orientation, social equity, justice, and continuous counterterrorism efforts. By addressing these underlying
socioeconomic issues, Nigeria can mitigate the drivers of vandalism and protect its critical
infrastructure for sustainable development and resilience.
A 4-MONTH TIMELINE OF ATTACK AND VANDALISATION OF NIGERIAN ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Bayode Akomolafe writes from Stoney Creek, ON, Canada. He is a registered Power Engineering professional with over 14 years of experience working in the power sector across
multiple world countries. He specializes in Engineering project development, technical
advisory, sustainability management, macro-energy consultancy, strategy, and policy
development.