“BORNO BRACES FOR BLACKOUT: VANDALS TARGET POWER TRANSMISSION TOWERS”

Babatunji Wusu –

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported another incident of vandalism, with two of its towers, T193 and T194, along the Damaturu – Maiduguri 330 Kilovolt (KV Single Circuit) transmission lines being targeted.

In a press release from Abuja on Wednesday, Ndidi Mbah, the General Manager of Public Affairs at TCN, provided details of the incident. According to Mbah, the vandalism occurred around 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday, coinciding with a power transformer tripping at the Molai Substation.

This power failure affected the 330kV transmission line supplying electricity to Maiduguri from the Damaturu Transmission Substation. Efforts to restore power by closing the Mulai – Damaturu line failed repeatedly.

Subsequent investigations by TCN engineers and security operatives revealed that towers 193 and 194 were deliberately brought down using an explosive device, with fragments scattered at the site. The impact of this incident was felt in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.

Mbah noted that these towers had previously been damaged on December 28, 2023, by makeshift bombs. Despite being rebuilt, they were targeted again in this latest act of vandalism.

TCN is currently assessing the situation to determine the best approach for temporarily restoring electricity. Meanwhile, plans are underway to mobilize a contractor to reconstruct the damaged transmission towers.

Mbah emphasized TCN’s commitment to protecting its infrastructure, urging the government and Nigerians to join in safeguarding national assets against destruction.