The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has reported that two of its transmitting towers, T133 and T136 along 330-kilovolt Shiroro-Kaduna lines 1 and 2 have been vandalized. The spokesperson of TCN, Ndidi Mbah disclosed this in a statement on Friday, stating that TCN is making plans to deploy the newly procured emergency restoration system to the site, pending the reconstruction of the damaged tower. The statement said, “According to reports from the Shiroro Regional office of TCN, the 330kV transmission line one tripped first, followed shortly by the second, as efforts were still ongoing to reclose the first line, prompting the urgent mobilization of local vigilantes to patrol the lines.”
“This led to the discovery of two damaged towers, towers T133 and tower T 136, with their cables badly damaged at several points.”
“Arrangements are in top gear to deploy the newly procured ‘emergency restoration system’ to the site, pending the reconstruction of the damaged towers.”
“TCN has also conducted an aerial survey in collaboration with security operatives, given the area’s vulnerability to banditry, which poses a significant threat to both TCN installations and personnel.”
Meanwhile, temporary measure to supply bulk power to the Kaduna and Kano regions via the 330kV Kaduna – Jos transmission line has been initiated.
The vandalized Shiroro – Kaduna 330kV lines 1&2 are vital lines through which bulk power is transmitted to parts of the North West region, with each line capable of carrying 600MW. The vandalism of the towers and transmission lines presents a significant challenge to bulk power transmission in that axis.