Abuja Power Supply Falls by 250MW As Vandals Destroy Tower

The Nigerian Transmission firm, Transmission Company of Nigeria on Wednesday, reported that Tower 70 along its 330kV Abuja, Gwagwalada-Katampe line was vandalised, leaving it dangerously grounded.

The incident, the company said in a statement occurred on the 26th of February, 2024, at about 11.32 pm.

“At the said time, the Gwagwalada – Katampe Transmission line tripped at Gwagwalada Transmission Substation and trial reclosure by TCN Operators failed, necessitating a physical patrol of the line. The TCN lines and patrol team discovered that the four (4) tower footings of Tower 70 were vandalised, destroying the tower legs and causing the tower to stand on the ground, supported by conductors.

“The incident has reduced bulk power supply flexibility and the volume of power into Abuja by 250MW,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, TCN said it has mobilised to the site of the incident and has commenced an emergency repair of the damaged tower and its associated equipment.

“We reiterate the need for vigilance in the fight against vandalism of power equipment. It is important that we report suspicious movements around all power equipment to security operatives or the nearest TCN offices nationwide,” TCN said.

Last December, the TCN said its Gwagwalada-Kukwaba-Apo 132KV Transmission Line 1 in the Abuja axis had been attacked by suspected vandals. (https://punchng.com/vandals-attack-abuja-transmission-line-says-tcn/)

TCN disclosed this via a press statement, noting that the transmission line was “vandalised between Tower 23 and Tower 25.”

The vadalisation of the line, the statement said, was suspected to have taken place at about 1 am on Sunday, “when bulk power supply on the line was cut off, necessitating an early morning investigation by TCN linesmen.”

The statement released by Ndidi Mbah, the TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, stated that investigations revealed a vandalised portion of the line route between Tower 23 and Tower 25.

Punch