The construction site of the 330/132/33kV transmission substation in Obajana, Kogi State, has suffered a major setback following an attack by suspected bandits.
The incident, which occurred late Tuesday night, involved the destruction of a 150MVA power transformer, a critical component of the ongoing project aimed at boosting electricity supply in Kogi and surrounding areas.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria disclosed the development in a statement signed by its General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the attack took place at approximately 11:55 pm on November 12, 2024.
Eyewitness reports from the site indicate that the assailants fired sporadically, forcing the security personnel on duty to flee.
During the attack, the transformer, already installed on its plinth, was severely damaged, with its radiator ruptured by gunfire.
The Obajana substation, designed to have a 1X150MVA capacity, is part of the federal government’s efforts to expand and stabilize the national grid.
Once completed, the facility is expected to significantly enhance electricity supply in the region. However, this latest attack underscores the growing threat of vandalism and insecurity to Nigeria’s critical infrastructure.
“This incident is part of a broader pattern of vandalism targeting transmission infrastructure across the country,” the TCN stated, adding that it had begun assessing the extent of the damage in collaboration with the project contractor.
TCN had earlier reported vandalism on its 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line, where towers T306, T307, and T308 were damaged.
These incidents, according to TCN, have become a serious impediment to the expansion and stability of the national grid.
“The growing trend of vandalism targeting transmission lines and towers has become a serious challenge, severely impacting the country’s power infrastructure and hindering the expansion and stability of the national grid,” the TCN warned in its statement.
It has called for increased security around power installations and greater community vigilance to curb the menace of vandalism.
“Vandalism of power installations is a disservice to us all and undermines efforts to strengthen the nation’s transmission system,” the company stressed.
