By Uzair Adam
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported another act of vandalism, this time targeting its 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line.
This attack comes as Nigerians await the restoration of power following the recent sabotage of the 330kV Shiroro-Kaduna lines.
In a statement issued on Sunday by TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the company revealed that the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, November 9, 2024.
Vandals destroyed transmission towers T306, T307, and T308, disrupting power transmission along the affected route.
Efforts by TCN engineers to restore the line earlier on Saturday were unsuccessful when the line tripped.
A subsequent inspection by TCN’s patrol team confirmed the vandalism, which included the theft of two spans of aluminium conductors.
Although the double-circuit transmission line remains operational through line two, the company is working to replace the stolen components.
This incident is part of a worrying pattern of increasing vandalism targeting Nigeria’s power infrastructure, particularly in the Gwagwalada area.
Previous attacks include the Gwagwalada–Kukuwaba–Apo transmission line on December 10, 2023, and the Gwagwalada–Katampe line on February 26, 2024.
Such ongoing disruptions are severely hindering the stability and expansion of the national power grid.
TCN has once again called for cooperation from local communities and security agencies to address the rising threat of vandalism.
The company stressed that these criminal activities undermine efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s transmission system and serve as a disservice to all citizens.