The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported another incident of vandalism, with three towers on the 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line destroyed.
In a statement issued on Sunday, TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah disclosed that the act of vandalism occurred on Saturday, disrupting the flow of bulk power through the affected line.
The statement further revealed that transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 were damaged by the vandals.
Mbah also noted that the perpetrators stole two spans from line one, though TCN continues to supply power to the affected regions through alternative means.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby reports that vandals have again attacked its 330kV Lokoja – Gwagwalada transmission line 1, in the early hours of Saturday 9th November 2024 through line two.
“Early on Saturday, TCN engineers attempted to re-energize the 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line 1, but the line tripped.
“After efforts to reclose the line failed, a patrol team of TCN linesmen was dispatched to physically trace the line for faults. Upon inspection, they discovered that transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 along line 1 had been vandalized disrupting bulk power transmission along the route.
“Further examination revealed that the vandals had stolen two spans of aluminum conductor from line one. TCN is still supplying bulk power through line two, efforts are underway to source replacement aluminum conductors for the two spans stolen from line one,” Mbah said.
Furthermore, TCN said the latest attack on the Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line adds to an alarming pattern of similar incidents nationwide.
Mbah added that the vandalism of transmission lines has delayed the company’s restoration efforts and weakened the grid’s reliability.