The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised alarm over the increasing sabotage of its infrastructure, revealing that a total of 178 electricity transmission towers have been destroyed in 42 separate incidents between 2024 and mid-2025.
Speaking during a media workshop on Thursday in Keffi, Nasarawa State, TCN’s General Manager for Transmission Services, Ali Sharifa, described the trend as “the worst infrastructural assault in recent history,” warning that it poses a grave threat to the national power grid.
Sharifa noted that in 2024 alone, 86 towers were vandalised—26 of them completely brought down—leading to widespread blackouts in several parts of the country, including Abuja, Bauchi, Enugu, Kano, Shiroro, and Port Harcourt.
“In the first and second quarters of 2025, we have already recorded 42 separate vandalism cases affecting 92 towers, bringing the total number of towers impacted within the last 18 months to 178,” he said.
He explained that these attacks have been compounded by natural disasters. In May 2025, windstorms and torrential rainfall caused the collapse of six towers (T306 to T308 and T365 to T367) along the critical Kainji–Birnin Kebbi 330kV international line.
Similarly, a major tower on the Apir-Lafia-Jos 330kV line partially collapsed due to similar weather conditions.
The TCN official blamed the destruction on non-state actors, suggesting sabotage linked to political and economic motives.
“These repeated acts are not random; they are deliberate and calculated attacks aimed at destabilising the power transmission network,” Sharifa asserted.
Beyond service disruptions, the impact of the vandalism, he said, includes the high cost of tower replacements, delays in grid expansion projects, and mounting security expenses.
“Each act of sabotage takes a toll on our operations—financially and technically. Repairs are expensive and time-consuming, and the public ultimately bears the brunt of outages and slowed development,” he added.
In response, TCN says it is stepping up community engagement and has launched collaborative efforts with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to secure key transmission lines.
According to Sharifa, a pilot security technology is being deployed to monitor high-risk zones and deter vandals.
Public awareness campaigns, including sensitisation jingles and media programmes, have also been rolled out to educate communities about protecting power infrastructure.
“These efforts are already yielding results,” Sharifa said, noting that several suspects have been apprehended and are facing prosecution.
He urged Nigerians to regard TCN assets as “public property deserving of collective protection,” and called for stronger legislation and stiffer penalties for convicted vandals
'
'
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
