Vandals Destroy TCN Shiroro-Katampe Line As Darkness Covers Abuja

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said that its Shiroro-Katampe 330kv transmission line was vandalized as residents of the Federal Capital Territory were thrown into darkness.

General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Ndidi Mbah in a statement she signed, stated that the incident happened at approximately 9 am on Sunday and efforts to restore electricity proved abortive.

She said, “During the fault tracing process, vigilante team leaders in the vicinity notified TCN linesmen of vandalism along the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line. TCN personnel confirmed the vandalisation of the 330kV Shiroro-Katampe transmission line 1, from Towers 244 to 245, and the conductors were stolen.

“Following initial investigations, TCN engineers attempted to restore operation but were unsuccessful. Subsequently, efforts were made to identify the fault location. Hence, linesmen were dispatched to physically patrol the suspected area”.

She noted that the temporary solution to the power sabotage in distributing electricity to Abuja and its environs is the wheeling capacity enhanced by the Lokoja – Gwagwalada 330kV transmission line.

“TCN is currently mobilizing for conductor replacement, pending 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,” Mbah assured.

Mbah decried the continuous vandalism of power lines across the country. According to her, these acts of sabotage are unacceptable.

She said, “Protection of the nation’s transmission infrastructure is paramount, and collective efforts are required to curb these incidents. The TCN calls upon all Nigerians to assist in reporting such acts of vandalism. Electricity infrastructure is a national asset, and safeguarding it is a collective responsibility.”

This incident, according to the TCN, is the fifth attack on the transmission line between February and March 2024.