Vandals destroy 14 power tower spans in Niger, TCN laments

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is sounding the alarm over escalating attacks on its electricity infrastructure in Niger State. Vandals have destroyed 14 spans of the 132-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line in the Lambata area of Gurara Local Government. The TCN condemned the act as economic sabotage, warning that it threatens electricity supply, endangers lives, and impedes efforts to boost power distribution and industrial growth.

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What we intend to do is to hold a meeting with our fathers here. Likewise, the security personnel here. We have been having issues with our transmission lines. Transmission lines have been vandalised repeatedly. It has never happened before in Niger State. We used to hear it. It does happen in Niger State, but not in this area. Not in this particular area. And it has become worrisome to all of us.

In response to the repeated incidents, the TCN has engaged traditional rulers, vigilante groups, and security agencies. A meeting held in Lambata brought together officials from the local vigilante group, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Niger State Road Traffic Management Agency. They discussed the rising vandalism and sought practical solutions.

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These lines have been in existence for close to 40 years. When they were constructed, nobody ever imagined that people would one day wake up and decide to vandalise them. But suddenly, some individuals have taken it upon themselves to cut these conductors and sell them for little amounts of money.

Musa Shuaibu, General Manager of Transmission for the TCN Abuja Region, highlighted the significance of the damaged line. Constructed over four decades ago during the Shehu Shagari administration, it was one of the earliest high-voltage infrastructures designed to transmit electricity from Shiroro to the Federal Capital Territory. "When they were constructed, nobody ever imagined that people would one day wake up and decide to vandalise them," Shuaibu remarked, noting that criminals are now targeting conductors for resale. He lamented that the destruction deprives the TCN of funds that could be reinvested in infrastructure improvements and community support. The direct cost to restore the 14 vandalized spans is estimated at N32 million, a figure that could rise significantly if contracted out.

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We have about 14 spans of this conductor vandalised. If we are to restore them directly within the region, our calculations indicate it will cost us about N32m. If the work is eventually awarded as a contract, the cost may become much higher.