The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed that two towers along its 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines 1 and 2 were vandalized, resulting in significant damage to both lines.
The incident has led to power outages in parts of Kano and Kaduna states.
In a statement released by TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the company revealed that it received reports of the vandalism from its Shiroro Regional Office on Friday.
The damaged towers, T133 and T136, caused a trip on the 330kV line 1, followed shortly by a trip on line 2 while efforts were underway to restore the first line.
The company quickly mobilized local vigilantes to patrol the affected areas.
The statement reads, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria announces that two towers along its 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines 1 and 2 have been vandalized, damaging parts of both transmission lines.”
TCN noted that the cables on both lines were severely damaged at multiple points.
While the company did not directly attribute the incident to bandits, it suggested possible involvement due to the recent spate of attacks in the Shiroro area, including the killing of 13 farmers.
In response to the situation, TCN has initiated temporary measures to restore power to the affected areas.
“Arrangements are in top gear to deploy the newly procured emergency restoration system to the site, pending the reconstruction of the damaged towers,” Mbah added.
An aerial survey conducted in collaboration with security forces has also been completed to assess the damage.
In the meantime, TCN engineers have implemented an interim solution to supply bulk power to the Kaduna and Kano regions through the 330kV Kaduna–Jos transmission line.
The vandalized Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines are crucial for delivering 600MW of power to the North West region.
TCN emphasized that the destruction of the towers represents a significant challenge to power transmission in the area.
However, the company remains committed to swiftly re-erecting the towers and restringing the lines to restore full power transmission.
“We are committed to restoring bulk power transmission through both 330kV lines as quickly as possible,” the statement concluded.
