The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported that vandals have once again targeted the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit transmission line, destroying 13 towers between T52 and T64. The incident, first reported by the Youth President of the Ukpeli Community in Rivers State on August 12, has left nine towers completely collapsed, with four others hanging precariously.
The affected towers are located across several communities, including Okobe, Emezhi 1, and Mbiama in Rivers State, as well as the Igbogene community in Bayelsa State. TCN’s Managing Director, Sule Abdulaziz, described the incident as a national disaster and urged the governments of Rivers and Bayelsa States to assist in combating the ongoing vandalism, which poses a severe challenge to restoring power supply to the region.
This recent attack comes shortly after a similar act of vandalism on July 29, affecting towers T97 to T99, with repairs still underway. The Ahoada-Yenagoa transmission line is critical for delivering electricity from the Ahoada transmission substation to the Yenagoa substation, which powers the entire Bayelsa State. TCN warned that the extent of the damage could result in several months of work to restore power.
In response, TCN is calling for urgent collaboration between security operatives, local communities, traditional rulers, and state governments to protect power installations and prevent further vandalism.