The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have been plunged into darkness following another act of vandalism on the 330-kilovolt Shiroro-Katampe Transmission Line.
This incident marks yet another challenge for the nation's already strained electricity grid.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed the attack in a statement released by its spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, late Thursday night. According to Mbah, the incident occurred at approximately 11:43 pm on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. "A TCN lines patrol team was dispatched from the Abuja Regional office to investigate the cause of the fault. The team discovered that vandals had stolen part of the conductor between towers T216 and T218," she stated.
The theft has resulted in a significant loss of power supply, affecting several key areas within the capital. Among the affected locations are the CBN Headquarters, Ecumenical Centre, Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, New Chelsea Hotel, Army War College, Reiz Continental Hotel, NBS, Lozumba Complex, UTC, Gidan Isah, Area 10, and their surrounding environs.
Residential areas such as Katsina Ala, Kila Close, Rudolf Close, La Street, Rima Street, Ekororo Street, Sand Link Street, Olufemi, and Laih Street have also been impacted.
Efforts are underway to restore power, with TCN's maintenance crew mobilized to replace the vandalized 330kV power conductor. However, Mbah did not specify an exact timeline for the restoration of bulk power supply through the affected line, stating only that it is expected soon.
This latest act of vandalism is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, the Shiroro-Kaduna line was vandalized five times between February and March, highlighting a troubling trend of attacks on Nigeria's power infrastructure.
These recurring acts of vandalism have severely impacted the stability and reliability of the national grid, posing significant challenges to the country's energy sector.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has issued notices regarding the power outage, urging residents to remain patient as efforts to restore electricity continue.
Meanwhile, TCN has called on communities and security agencies to intensify efforts to curb such attacks, emphasizing the need for collaboration in combating this menace.
"Vandalism of power installations undermines efforts to strengthen the nation’s transmission system and is a disservice to all Nigerians," TCN noted in its appeal to the public.
As Abuja grapples with the consequences of this latest attack, the broader implications for Nigeria's power infrastructure remain a pressing concern, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced security measures and community vigilance to protect critical national assets.
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