TCN begins repairs on four vandalised transmission towers in Rivers

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has commenced the rehabilitation of four transmission towers vandalised along the Afam-IPP-Elelenwo 132kV double-circuit line in Rivers State.

TCN disclosed this in a statement issued by its management in Abuja on Monday, saying the affected towers were T50, T51, T52 and T53.

According to the company, its lines engineers from the Port Harcourt Region discovered the damage on August 6 after parts of the towers had been dismantled and taken away.

TCN said the latest incident was the fifth reported vandalism attack on the transmission line in recent times.

The company appealed to stakeholders, including communities and security agencies, to support efforts to protect transmission infrastructure.

“As rehabilitation work progresses, we enjoin all stakeholders to join hands to curb the menace that is threatening the stability of the national grid,” TCN said.

The latest development comes amid growing concerns over attacks on electricity infrastructure across the country.

TCN has previously called for special courts or the designation of magistrates to handle cases involving the vandalism and sabotage of power infrastructure.

The Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider, Engr. Oluwagbenga Ajiboye, made the call at a three-day workshop for energy correspondents in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The workshop was themed, “Assessing the Impact and Challenges of Transmission Network in Nigeria.”

In a paper titled TCN Milestones and Challenges in Nigeria’s Power Sector, Ajiboye said dedicated courts would facilitate the speedy prosecution of suspects arrested for vandalising transmission infrastructure.

He expressed concern that suspects were often charged with ordinary theft, rather than offences reflecting the impact of attacks on critical national infrastructure.

“The police only charge suspects for theft, and the court will release them by the following day. There are no laid-down consequences specified for vandalism of transmission towers and lines. That is why the act continues,” he said.

Ajiboye said several transmission towers in the North-Central, North-West and South-East regions had been vandalised within the past year, with conductors, tower members and bolts removed.

He said each attack imposed significant repair costs on TCN and could lead to prolonged power outages affecting households, businesses, industries and healthcare facilities.

According to him, some repairs take weeks because vandalised towers are often located in difficult-to-access areas and require specialised materials for restoration.

He also raised concerns over investigations into infrastructure vandalism, saying authorities often fail to trace the buyers of stolen transmission components or identify those allegedly financing the attacks.