In yet another attack on Nigeria’s power infrastructure, suspected vandals have targeted the 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line 1, disrupting power supply to Abuja and surrounding areas.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, November 9, 2024, affecting three transmission towers.
TCN’s statement on Sunday disclosed that its engineers had attempted to re-energize the transmission line, but it tripped immediately.
Following unsuccessful attempts to restore the line, a patrol team was sent to inspect the transmission route.
The team found that transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 had been vandalized, leading to a significant disruption in bulk power transmission.
Further investigations revealed that the vandals had stolen two spans of aluminium conductor from line one.
While the Lokoja–Gwagwalada line operates as a double-circuit transmission line, TCN is currently managing to supply power through line two.
Efforts are underway to source replacement aluminium conductors for the damaged line to restore full transmission capacity.
TCN expressed concern over the rising trend of vandalism, which has severely impacted the stability and expansion of the national grid.
“The rising trend of vandalism targeting transmission lines and towers has become a significant challenge, severely impacting the country’s power infrastructure and hindering the expansion and stability of the national grid,” TCN noted.
This recent incident follows a series of attacks on transmission infrastructure in the Gwagwalada area, including vandalism of the Gwagwalada–Kukuwaba–Apo transmission line on December 10, 2023, and the Gwagwalada–Katampe line on February 26, 2024.
The repeated attacks continue to undermine efforts to enhance Nigeria’s power supply and grid reliability.
Appealing to the public, TCN urged residents in communities near transmission lines and towers to cooperate with the company and security operatives to curb the menace of vandalism.
“Vandalism of power installations is a disservice to us all and undermines efforts to strengthen the nation’s transmission system,” the company stated.
