The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced an expenditure of N8.8 billion for the repair of 128 electricity towers that were vandalized across the country from January to November 2024.
Sule Abdulaziz, the managing director of TCN, made this announcement during a recent quarterly power sector working group meeting in Abuja, where he was represented by Olugbenga Ajiboye, the Executive Director of the Transmission Service Provider at TCN.
Ajiboye highlighted that the destruction of the 128 transmission towers was attributed to the actions of vandals and bandits throughout the specified period. He expressed concern that when these vandals are apprehended and handed over to law enforcement, they are often charged with theft rather than vandalism, leading to their release on bail.
“Currently, 128 of our towers have been compromised due to the actions of vandals or bandits. We estimate that we have spent approximately N8.8 billion to restore them to full functionality,” he stated.
“It is disheartening that when these individuals are caught and taken to the police, they are charged with theft instead of vandalism, which allows them to be released on bail.”
This situation arises amidst a troubling increase in vandalism incidents, which have adversely affected the national grid and electricity supply in the country.
Certain areas in the Niger Delta region continue to experience power outages as vandals have disrupted the repair efforts of the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132 kilovolt line and have stolen components from the Benin-Egbin and Benin-Omotosho 330kv transmission lines.
