The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported on Sunday that suspected vandals targeted its transmission line supplying electricity to Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State.
According to a statement from General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the vandals damaged tower No. T372 along the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri 330kV transmission line early Saturday morning, September 21, 2024.
TCN indicated that this attack has disrupted power supply to Damaturu and extended to Maiduguri in Borno State. The vandals severed all four tower footings, leading to the collapse of tower T372, which was discovered by TCN’s emergency patrol teams.
In response, TCN’s engineers are working to temporarily restore power to Damaturu via a 33kV transmission line from Potiskum, while Maiduguri will receive electricity from the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP).
The company announced that it would immediately begin dismantling the collapsed tower for reconstruction and restoration of the transmission line. TCN condemned the ongoing attacks on national infrastructure and urged citizens to remain vigilant in protecting these assets. They encouraged reporting any suspicious activities around transmission facilities to law enforcement or TCN offices.
Mbah affirmed TCN’s commitment to swiftly restore power to the affected areas and expedite the reconstruction work on the damaged tower.