Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were plunged into darkness on Sunday as saboteurs struck, vandalizing the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line, marking the fifth such incident in February and March.
“Following initial investigations, TCN engineers attempted to restore operation but were unsuccessful,” stated Ndidi Mbah, spokesperson for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), highlighting the severity of the situation.
Efforts to pinpoint the fault location were hindered as linesmen were dispatched to physically patrol the suspected area. Vigilante team leaders in the vicinity alerted TCN linesmen to vandalism along the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line, confirming the theft of conductors from Towers 244 to 245.
TCN is currently mobilizing for conductor replacement, pending completion of security operations at the site. Despite the setback, the second line remains fully operational, in conjunction with the Gwagwalada 330kV line serving the Kukwaba-Apo axis.
Mbah emphasized TCN’s commitment to enhancing the wheeling capacity towards Abuja and environs with the Lokoja-Gwagwalada 330kV transmission line, despite the challenges posed by acts of sabotage.
“This incident adds to a series of vandalism incidents recorded by TCN in February 2024,” the company stated, highlighting previous instances including the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalada-Katampe transmission line, vandalism along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line, and an attack on towers along the Owerri-Ahoda 132kV transmission line.
As TCN continues to work tirelessly to minimize the adverse effects of these acts of sabotage, the company urges vigilance and cooperation from the public to safeguard critical infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted power supply to the region.
