The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported a new incident of vandalism affecting its 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line 1, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
The attack has led to a major interruption in the transmission of bulk power along the route.
In a statement released by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, in Abuja on Sunday, the company confirmed that its engineers made attempts to restore power to the 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line 1, but the line tripped shortly after.
Raising concern over the increase in facility attacks, TCN disclosed that the vandals had removed two spans of aluminum conductors from line one.
“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.
“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 aluminium conductor from line one.”
The Lokoja–Gwagwalada line is designed as a double-circuit transmission route. While power continues to be transmitted through line two, TCN is working to obtain replacement aluminum conductors to repair the affected spans in line one.
According to the statement, vandalism of transmission lines and towers has escalated, presenting a significant obstacle to the stability and growth of Nigeria’s national grid.
“This recent incident adds to an alarming pattern of attacks on the transmission network nationwide
“In the Gwagwalada area alone, recent acts of vandalism include the attack on the Gwagwalada–Kukuwaba–Apo transmission line on 10th December 2023, the Gwagwalada–Katampe line on February 26, 2024, and several others on that axis. Such acts of vandalism continue to disrupt the stability and growth of Nigeria’s national grid,” the statement noted.
TCN urged Nigerians to work alongside security agencies to address the rise in such attacks on critical infrastructure.
“We once again appeal to members of the public, especially residents of communities hosting transmission lines and towers, to collaborate with TCN and security operatives in combating this menace.
“Vandalism of power installations is a disservice to us all and undermines efforts to strengthen the nation’s transmission system,” the statement emphasized.
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