Another transmission line vandalized, fifth time in one month – TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported another destruction of its infrastructure — the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line.

According to the transmission company, this is the fifth time the ugly incident has occurred since February.

The latest incident occurred at 9a.m. on Sunday, a statement made available by TCN disclosed.

The General Manager of the company, Mr. Ndidi Mbah, said TCN is currently mobilising for the repair of the affected facility.

The statement said: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reports that one of its critical infrastructure, the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line, has been vandalized, making this the fifth such incident between February and March of this year.

“TCN personnel confirmed the vandalization of the 330 kV Shiroro-Katampe transmission line 1, from Towers 244 to 245, and the conductors were stolen. TCN is currently mobilizing for conductor replacement, pending the completion of security operations at the site.

“Nevertheless, the second line remains fully operational, in conjunction with the Gwagwalada 330kV line serving the Kukwaba-Apo axis.”

Furthermore, the company decried the recent upswing in the vandalism of its facilities by criminals, noting that since February, it has reported around five incidents of the destruction of transmission lines across the country.

It noted that the destruction of its facilities amounts to sabotage and urged security operatives and host communities to work towards bringing the culprits to book.

“This incident adds to a series of vandalism incidents recorded by TCN in February 2024, including the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalada-Katampe transmission line on February 26, 2024.

“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,” the statement added.

Persecondnews had in February reported the vandalization of the TCN Tower 70 along its 330 kV Gwagwalada-Katampe transmission line.

The company disclosed that the incident, which occurred on February 26 at about 11.32 p.m., caused the tower to stand on the ground, supported by conductors.