Parts of Kaduna and Kano States have been plunged into darkness after vandals destroyed two critical towers along the 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Friday.
The damaged towers, T133 and T136, were essential in transmitting electricity to the North-Western region of Nigeria, including Kaduna and Kano States. The act of sabotage has resulted in widespread power outages across the two states.
The incident came to light when one of the transmission lines unexpectedly tripped, followed soon after by the second line. TCN officials immediately mobilised local vigilante groups to increase surveillance around the affected area.
TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, confirmed the sabotage in a statement, stating, “Investigations reveal that this is not a case of routine damage but a deliberate act of vandalism. We are working closely with security operatives to secure the area, which has been identified as vulnerable to banditry, posing risks to our infrastructure and personnel.”
In an effort to stabilise the situation, TCN has deployed a newly acquired emergency restoration system and initiated plans to reconstruct the damaged towers. “Our engineers have swiftly implemented a temporary solution to ensure continued electricity supply,” Mbah added. “We are currently using the 330kV Kaduna–Jos transmission line to deliver bulk power to the Kaduna and Kano regions as an interim measure.”
An aerial survey was conducted in collaboration with security operatives to assess the full extent of the damage and identify additional vulnerabilities. TCN’s Shiroro Regional Office revealed that the cables were found severely compromised at multiple points, further emphasizing the deliberate nature of the attack.
The loss of the Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines, which can each carry up to 600MW of electricity, has exacerbated the region’s already strained power supply. TCN Managing Director Sule Abdulaziz urged communities near transmission infrastructure to assist in safeguarding these national assets.
“The vandalism of power installations affects everyone, and ensuring their security is a collective responsibility,” Abdulaziz said.
While TCN worked to restore the damaged towers, increased patrols and surveillance are being maintained to prevent further incidents. Authorities are also investigating the matter to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The company has assured the public that all efforts are being made to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. However, the attack has highlighted the persistent threats to Nigeria’s power infrastructure, which could worsen the region’s already delicate electricity situation.
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