The Transmission Company of Nigeria revealed on Wednesday that its Tower 70, situated along the 330kV Gwagwalada-Katampe Transmission Line, was vandalized by hoodlums. The incident, which occurred on the 26th of February, 2024, has resulted in the tower standing unbalanced on the ground.

According to the General Manager of Public Affairs for TCN, Ndidi Mbah, the vandalism was discovered when the Gwagwalada-Katampe Transmission line tripped at the Gwagwalada Transmission Substation, prompting a physical patrol of the line.

The team found that the footings of Tower 70 were vandalized, causing the tower to stand on the ground, supported only by conductors.

Mbah stated, “The TCN Lines and Patrol team discovered that the four (4) tower footings of Tower 70 were vandalized, destroying the tower legs and causing the tower to stand on the ground, supported by conductors.”

As a consequence, the incident has led to a reduction in bulk power supply flexibility and a decrease in the volume of power supplied to Abuja by 250MW.

TCN has swiftly responded by mobilizing to the site and initiating an emergency repair of the damaged tower and its associated equipment.

Mbah emphasized the importance of vigilance in the fight against vandalism of power equipment and urged the public to report any suspicious activities around power installations to security operatives or the nearest TCN offices nationwide.

She stated, “It is important that we report suspicious movements around all power equipment to security operatives or the nearest TCN offices nationwide.”