Vandalism of Power Installations Growing Threat to Nigeria’s Power Sector – TCN Warns
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised the alarm over the increasing rate of vandalism of power installations across the country, warning that the trend poses a significant threat to the nation’s power sector.
According to TCN, the growing threat requires the cooperation of all citizens to combat.
“Increased vigilance from everyone is essential to combat this menace, as failure to do so will leave the power sector in a perpetual state of repairing damaged infrastructure,” TCN said in a statement.
The company revealed that between July 1st and August 11th, 2024, its installations experienced numerous vandalism attacks in less than six weeks, affecting every transmission region of TCN.
“This growing threat urgently requires the cooperation of all citizens, particularly those in host communities where these installations are located,” TCN said.
TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, emphasized the need for collective action against vandals of power installations.
“We reiterate the need for collective action against vandals of power installations of any kind and remain committed to working with communities and security agencies and vigilantes to safeguard power installations,” Mbah said.
The company reported several incidents of vandalism, including the arrest of vandals by security operatives and the death of two vandals by hunters.
“On Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, security operatives apprehended vandals in a blue pick-up van loaded with sacks containing tower members and cables stolen from transmission towers along the Damboa/Maiduguri 132KV transmission line,” TCN said.
In another incident, TCN said vandals attacked towers T377, T378, and T379 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line, resulting in the death of two vandals by hunters.
“On August 11th, 2024, vandals attacked towers T377, T378, and T379 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line, which is undergoing rapid and urgent repair following a previous vandalism incident involving IEDs on towers T193 and T194.
However, two of the vandals were killed by hunters at the Damaturu end of the line,” TCN said.
