The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported another act of vandalism on the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV transmission line, compounding challenges in restoring power to the affected areas.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed that the latest attack occurred on Tuesday, affecting towers 29 to 31 and resulting in the theft of approximately one-third of the conductor.
This incident occurs as the line was already undergoing repair due to a previous act of vandalism. A team of TCN engineers, led by Emmanuel Akpa, the General Manager of the Port Harcourt Region, inspected the site and found evidence of a nighttime operation.
“To prevent further theft while repairs are ongoing, local security personnel have been deployed to Ula Ikata in Ahoada East Local Government Area to safeguard the site,” Mbah said. “Additionally, the line will be energized from the Ahoada end as a precautionary measure.”
Despite the difficult terrain and seasonal flooding, Mbah noted that the line’s restringing is now 85% complete, and efforts are underway to replace the stolen 250mm conductor.
The latest incident follows an earlier attack in November, which targeted transmission towers in Okada and Ofosu communities along the 330 kV Benin-Egbin and Benin-Omotosho transmission lines. In that attack, vandals damaged 31 towers, removing critical components and jeopardizing power supply stability.
“These incidents highlight the urgent need to combat the growing problem of vandalism and theft impacting Nigeria’s power infrastructure,” Mbah stressed.
TCN engineers from the Benin Sub-Region have been working to stabilize the affected towers to prevent further disruptions to the bulk power supply.
In response, TCN is urging greater community vigilance and cooperation with security agencies to protect vital power infrastructure. “These crimes significantly hamper the expansion and stability of the national grid,” Mbah said, adding that heightened awareness and collaboration are key to addressing the problem.
The company reiterated its commitment to ensuring a resilient and stable power supply despite the ongoing challenges.
