Vandals Destroys Power Transmission Line, Plunge Abuja into Blackout, the Fifth in Less Than 2 Months

Vandals have again destroyed the Shiroro-Katampe 330 KV transmission power line, plunging Abuja and Federal Capital Territory into blackout.

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirming the incident, said it was the fifth attacks on the vital transmission line in the axis between February and March this year.

The company said the power supply to all parts of Abuja, including Maitama, Garki, Aso Drive, Lugbe, Bwari, Life Camp, Jabi, Wuse and other parts were affected.

TCN said initial moves to restore supply failed, and its technicians are balloting to fix the power supply problems.

During the fault tracing process, vigilante team leaders in the vicinity notified TCN linesmen of vandalism along the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line.

TCN personnel confirmed the vandalisation of the 330kV Shiroro-Katampe transmission line 1, from Towers 244 to 245, and the  conductors are stolen.

Mbah said TCN was currently mobilising for conductor replacement, pending completion of security operations at the site.

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Nevertheless, the second line remains fully operational, transmitting at full capacity to Abuja, in conjunction with the Gwagwalada 330kV line serving the Kukwaba-Apo axis.

She also stated that the wheeling capacity of TCN towards Abuja and environs would be enhanced by the Lokoja – Gwagwalada 330kV transmission line.

The company noted that this incident had added to a series of vandalism incidents recorded by TCN in February 2024, including the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalade-Katampe transmission line on February 26, 2024.

It said, Other incidents include the vandalism of towers 377 and 378 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line on February 23, 2024, and the attack on towers 145 to 149 and 201 to 218 along the Owerri-Ahoda 132kV transmission line on February 15, 2024.

Additionally, on February 1, 2024, Tower number 388 along the Jos-Bauchi 132kV single circuit transmission line collapsed due to vandalism.

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.