Hunters monitoring the towers T377, T378 and T379 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330KV Transmission line have shot two vandals dead.

Specifically, the TCN declared that between July 1st and August 11th, 2024, its installations have experienced numerous vandalism attacks in less than six weeks saying these incidents are widespread, affecting every transmission region of TCN.

This was revealed in a statement by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) vandals attacked towers, which is undergoing rapid and urgent repair following a previous vandalism incident involving IEDs on towers T193 and T194. However, two of the vandals were killed by hunters at the Damaturu end of the line.

According to TCN, vandals attacked towers along two transmission line routes under Enugu Region of TCN as the first attack targeted tower T9 on the Apir-Aliede 330kV transmission line, and the second targeted tower T12 on the Apir-Otukpo-Yandev 123kV transmission line, both passing through Ikpayango Village.

It added that vandals managed to cut off and steal the yellow phase conductor from towers T11 to T12 along the Apir-Otukpo-Yandev line, which caused a tripping of the 150MVA power transformer at the Apir Transmission Substation.

Additionally, the Transmission Company of Nigeria said in the Osogbo Region, Tower T328 along the 330kV Osogbo-Ganmo line in the Oba-Oke area of Osogbo, Osun State, was vandalized while the incident caused severe structural damage to the tower, leaving it twisted and bent, with insulators at a dangerous angle of 65° to 70°.

The Company said it has consistently engaged security operatives, host communities, and local vigilante groups in response to this issue saying, it is crucial that everyone works together to curb or eliminate the increasing attempts by vandals to damage transmission lines and cables, while also ensuring that stolen items are not sold in our markets.

It reiterated the need for collective action against vandals of power installations of any kind and remain committed to working with communities and security agencies and vigilantes to safeguard power installations. 

The Company declared that the fight against vandalism remains pivotal to maintaining a stable power network.