The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported that one of its critical infrastructures, the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line, has been vandalised, making this incident the sixth of its kind this year.
It said key components of the conductor between towers T216 and T218 were stolen by the vandals.
A statement by the General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, on Thursday night, said the line was vandalised on Wednesday, 18 December 2024, at approximately 11:43 pm, causing a blackout in the affected area.
The statement read, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria regrets to announce that its 330kV Shiroro – Katampe transmission line was vandalized on Wednesday, 18th December 2024.
“At approximately 11:43 pm, the 330kV Shiroro Katampe circuit lost supply on the grid. A trial reclosure was attempted, but the line tripped again immediately”.
It added that a lines patrol team was dispatched from the Abuja Regional office of TCN to investigate the cause and more crews have been deployed to replace the vandalised conductor.
“A TCN lines patrol team was dispatched from the Abuja Regional office of TCN to investigate the cause of the fault. The team discovered that vandals had stolen part of the conductor between towers T216 and T218.
“The TCN lines maintenance crew has since mobilized to the site and is working assiduously to replace the vandalized 330kV power conductor. Restoration of bulk power supply through the affected line is expected soon”, she said.
The company further sought the assistance of Nigerians to report suspicious activities to prevent acts of vandalism or apprehend the culprits.
“We appeal to the general public to assist in identifying and reporting suspicious activities around power transmission infrastructure. Your vigilance and cooperation are crucial in helping us to prevent acts of vandalism or apprehend the culprits”, the statement concluded.
