The Transmission Company of Nigeria on Wednesday, reported that Tower 70 along its 330kV Gwagwalada-Katampe line was vandalized, leaving it in a precarious state. The development was revealed by the company's General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, who said in a statement occurred on the 26th of February, 2024, at about 11.32 pm. “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) hereby states that Tower 70 along its 330kV Gwagwalada -Katampe Transmission line has been vandalized, with the tower standing precariously on the ground.
“The sad incident occurred on the 26th of February, 2024, at about 11.32 pm. At the 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 incident has 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 the nearest TCN offices nationwide”, it stated.
TCN disclosed this via a press statement, noting that the transmission line was “vandalized between Tower 23 and Tower 25.”The vandalization of the line, the statement said, was suspected to have taken place at about 1 am on Sunday, “when bulk power supply on the line was cut off, necessitating an early morning investigation by TCN linesmen.”
