Vandals have destroyed two towers along the crucial 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines 1 and 2, throwing parts of Kano and Kaduna into darkness.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said Friday that the towers, T133 and T136, suffered extensive damage, resulting in a disruption of electricity supply to parts of the North-West, including Kaduna and Kano.
The incident was first detected when one of the transmission lines tripped, shortly followed by the second, prompting TCN to mobilise local vigilante groups for increased patrols around the affected area.
TCN’s Shiroro Regional Office said the cables were found to be severely compromised at multiple points.
“Investigations reveal that this is not a case of routine damage but a deliberate act of vandalism,” said TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah. “We are working closely with security operatives to secure the area, which has been identified as vulnerable to banditry, posing risks to our infrastructure and personnel.”
In response to the emergency, TCN has deployed a newly procured emergency restoration system to the site to stabilize the situation. Plans are also in progress for the reconstruction of the damaged towers to restore the affected lines fully.
“Our engineers have swiftly implemented a temporary solution to ensure continued electricity supply,” Mbah added. “We are currently using the 330kV Kaduna–Jos transmission line to deliver bulk power to the Kaduna and Kano regions as an interim measure.”
An aerial survey was conducted to assess the extent of the damage and to enhance security measures around the affected transmission lines. This survey was carried out in collaboration with security operatives to identify any further vulnerabilities in the area.
The Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines are critical to Nigeria’s power supply, as each line can carry 600MW of electricity to the North-West. The loss of these lines has significantly impacted the power distribution network.
“We are appealing to communities living near transmission infrastructure to assist in safeguarding these national assets,” said TCN Managing Director Sule Abdulaziz. “The vandalism of power installations affects everyone, and ensuring their security is a collective responsibility.”
Efforts are ongoing to restore the towers, with TCN assuring the public of its commitment to restoring normalcy as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, increased patrols and surveillance will continue to prevent further incidents.
Authorities are also investigating the incident to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, as the attack threatens to exacerbate the already strained electricity situation in the region.
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