Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were on Sunday thrown into darkness as saboteurs vandalised the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line.

According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the vandalism of the transmission line makes it the fifth of such incident within February and March this year.

The incident happened at 9am on Sunday. “Following initial investigations, TCN engineers attempted to restore operation but were unsuccessful,” said a spokesperson for the TCN, Ndidi Mbah.

Mbah, in a statement, said efforts were made to identify the fault location, while linesmen were dispatched to physically patrol the suspected area.

“During the fault tracing process, vigilante team leaders in the vicinity notified TCN linesmen of vandalism along the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line. TCN personnel confirmed the vandalisation of the 330kV Shiroro-Katampe transmission line 1, from Towers 244 to 245, and the conductors stolen.

“TCN is currently mobilising for conductor replacement, pending completion of security operations at the site. Nevertheless, the second line remains fully operational, in conjunction with the Gwagwalada 330kV line serving the Kukwaba-Apo axis,” Mbah stated adding that the wheeling capacity of TCN towards Abuja and environs would be enhanced by the Lokoja-Gwagwalada 330kV transmission line.

“TCN is working hard to minimise the adverse effect of these acts of sabotage on bulk power supply to Abuja and environs,” the company stated.

“This incident adds to a series of vandalism incidents recorded by TCN in February 2024, including the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalada-Katampe transmission line on February 26, 2024. Other incidents include the vandalism of towers 377 and 378 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line on February 23, 2024, and the attack on towers 145 to 149 and 201 to 218 along the Owerri-Ahoda 132kV transmission line on February 15, 2024.

“Additionally, on February 1, 2024, Tower number 388 along the Jos-Bauchi 132kV single circuit transmission line collapsed due to vandalism.

“These acts of sabotage are unacceptable, and TCN urges relevant security agencies and host communities to collaborate in apprehending the perpetrators. Protection of the nation’s transmission infrastructure is paramount, and collaborative efforts are required to curb these incidents.

“TCN calls upon all Nigerians to assist in reporting acts of vandalism. Electricity infrastructure is a national asset and safequarding it is a collective responsibility.”