VANDALS PLUNGE SECTIONS OF ABUJA INTO BLACKOUT .... Damage TCN's Tower 70 Along The 330kva Gwagwalada-Katampe Transmission Line

"We reiterate the need for vigilance in the fight against vandalism of power equipment." TCN. 

"It is important that we report suspicious movements around all power equipment to security operatives or to the nearest TCN offices nationwide."

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Wednesday announced that vandals have damaged Tower 70 along its 330kV Gwagwalada-Katampe Transmission line, with the tower standing precariously on the ground.

The announcement via a statement issued and signed by the General Manager Public Affairs Division of TCN, disclosed that the sad incident occurred on the 26th of February, 2024, at about 11.32 pm.  

"At the said time, the Gwagwalada - Katampe Transmission line tripped at Gwagwalada Transmission Substation and trial reclosure by TCN Operators failed, necessitating a physical patrol of the line.

"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." The statement read.

The statement further disclosed that "the incident reduced bulk power supply flexibility and the volume of power into Abuja by 250MW.

"Meanwhile, TCN has mobilized to the site  of the incident and has commenced an emergency repair of the damaged tower and its associated equipment.

"We reiterate the need for vigilance in the fight against vandalism of power equipment. It is important that we report suspicious movements around all power equipment to security operatives or to the nearest TCN offices nationwide." The statement concluded.