The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has decried the surge in the rate of vandalism of transmission towers in the country.
The national transmission company said that over 18 transmission towers were vandalised between January 9 and 14, 2025, across Rivers, Abia, and Kano States.
General Manager of Transmission for the Port Harcourt Region, Emmanuel Okpa, reported that routine patrols by linesmen on January 10, 2025, uncovered damage to towers 171 through 181 and tower 184.
“On January 14, vandals targeted towers 146, 147, and 149 along the Owerri/Ahoada 132kV line in Rivers State, removing base brackets and compromising the stability of the towers.
“In Abia State, Engr. Azuh Lucky, Head of the Lines Department for the Region, reported the theft of bolts, nuts, and structural members from towers 160 to 162 on the Alaoji/Umuahia 132kV line, which was under repair on January 13, 2025,” TCN general manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, stated in a statement on Sunday.
According to her, towers 105, 106, and 107 along the Katsina-Gazoua 132/33kV transmission line in Kano State, were critically damaged by vandals on January 9, 2025, compromising their structural integrity and risking collapse.
“In the early hours of January 17, 2025, vandalised 132kV underground transmission cables were discovered by TCN engineers near Millennium Park in Abuja. This affected power supply to the central area and its environs.
“These incidents pose a significant challenge to our operations as a company. We have bolstered security measures, increased line 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.
“The vandals and those who buy stolen materials are sabotaging the nation. All hands must be on deck to ensure the growth of the nation’s power sector, which is critical to the development of our country
“TCN’s grid expansion plans are under tremendous strain due to the persistent vandalism of its installations. The financial implications of constant repairs to vandalised transmission installations, along with the stress on the grid, are having adverse effects on TCNs grid expansion drive,” Mbah said.
The company made a “clarion call” for everyone to join forces with TCN to put an end to the menace and safeguard our electricity network.