Vandals Cripple Nigeria's Power Supply: 18 Towers Destroyed In Five Days

In a troubling development, vandals have destroyed and stolen components from no fewer than 18 electricity towers in just five days, crippling power supply to multiple franchise areas across Rivers, Abia, and Kano States. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed this in a statement signed by the General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, in Abuja.

Power Infrastructure Under Siege

The incidents, which occurred between January 9 and 14, 2025, were discovered during routine inspections and have significantly disrupted TCN’s operations. The damage also hinders the government’s grid expansion plans, designed to deliver uninterrupted electricity to Nigerians.

TCN’s Findings Across States

Rivers State: Towers 171 to 181 and tower 184 on the Owerri/Ahoada 132kV line were vandalized, with critical components such as base brackets removed, compromising structural stability.
Abia State: Vandals targeted towers 160 to 162 along the Alaoji/Umuahia 132kV line, stealing bolts, nuts, and structural members during ongoing repairs.
Kano State: Towers 105 to 107 on the Katsina-Gazoua 132/33kV transmission line were critically damaged, endangering their integrity and risking collapse.

Abuja Transmission Cables Targeted

On January 17, 2025, TCN engineers uncovered the vandalism of 132kV underground transmission cables near Millennium Park in Abuja. The incident caused widespread power outages, affecting key locations, including the presidential villa and the office of the Minister of Power.

TCN’s Response to Rising Vandalism

Ndidi Mbah condemned the surge in vandalism, calling it a direct sabotage of the nation’s power infrastructure. She revealed that TCN has intensified security measures, including enhanced patrols, increased vigilance, and collaborations with security operatives. Despite these efforts, she emphasized the need for community involvement to protect these critical installations.

“We appeal to all Nigerians, particularly those in communities hosting our infrastructure, to join us in safeguarding these collective assets essential for socioeconomic development,” Mbah stated.

Financial and Operational Strain

The financial burden of repairing vandalized installations is immense, placing additional strain on TCN’s grid expansion efforts. This has prompted the power ministry to propose an N8 billion allocation in the 2025 budget for a nationwide sensitization campaign aimed at curbing vandalism and promoting timely electricity bill payments.

A Call for Collective Action

TCN has issued a clarion call for all stakeholders to unite in ending the menace of power infrastructure vandalism. Protecting the national grid is not just the responsibility of the government but a shared duty crucial for Nigeria’s development.

Conclusion

The continued vandalism of power infrastructure threatens the stability of Nigeria’s electricity supply and the broader socioeconomic development of the nation. Strengthened security measures, community collaboration, and public sensitization are vital to overcoming this challenge and ensuring a reliable power supply for all.