Follow Us on Google
From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), yesterday, reported the damage of its ongoing 330/132/33kV transmission substation in Obajana, Kogi State by hoodlums.
In a statement, the General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said that the attack occurred on the night of November 12, 2024, at approximately 11:55 pm.
According to reports from security personnel at the site, the assailants opened fire indiscriminately, causing the guards to flee.
“During the attack, a 150MVA 330/132/33kV power transformer, already positioned on its plinth, was struck, resulting in a burst radiator.
In response to the incident, TCN is evaluating the level of damage in collaboration with the contractor managing the project” she said.
This incident, Mbah said, is part of a broader pattern of vandalism targeting transmission infrastructure across the country. The new Obajana Transmission Substation, is designed to be a 1X150MVA 330/132/33kV capacity substation that will significantly enhance power supply to Kogi State and surrounding areas upon completion.
Recall that two days ago, electricity consumers in Gwagwalada and Lokoja axis were thrown into darkness following the operations of vandals who destroyed 330kV Lokoja – Gwagwalada transmission line at the weekend.
In a statement, General Manager, (GM) of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mrs Ndidi Mbah, said that the vandals struck early on Saturday. When the TCN engineers attempted to re-energise the 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line 1, the line tripped.
So, after efforts to reclose the line, it failed. Then, a patrol team of TCN linesmen was dispatched to physically trace the line for faults. Upon inspection, she said, they discovered that transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 along line 1 had been vandalised, disrupting bulk power transmission along the route.
“Further examination revealed that the vandals had stolen two spans of aluminium conductor from line one. The Lokoja–Gwagwalada line is a double-circuit transmission line, and while TCN is still supplying bulk power through line two, efforts are under way to source replacement aluminium conductors for the two spans stolen from line one,” she said.
According to Mbah, the rising trend of vandalism targeting transmission lines and towers has become a significant challenge, severely impacting the country’s power infrastructure and hindering the expansion and stability of the national grid.
“This recent incident adds to an alarming pattern of attacks on the transmission network nationwide. In the Gwagwalada area alone, recent acts of vandalism include the attack on the Gwagwalada–Kukuwaba–Apo transmission line on December 10, 2023, the Gwagwalada–Katampe line on February 26, 2024, and several others on that axis. Such acts of vandalism continue to disrupt the stability and growth of Nigeria’s national grid.
“We once again appeal to members of the public, especially residents of communities hosting transmission lines and towers, to collaborate with TCN and security operatives in combating this menace. Vandalism of power installations is a disservice to us all and undermines efforts to strengthen the nation’s transmission system” she said.
