Vandals attack Shiroro-Katampe line, dissrupt power supply in FCT

• Published On: 22 December 2024 at 16:03

Suspected vandals have once again plunged parts of the Federal Capital Territory into darkness by targeting the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line, a critical infrastructure that provides power to several areas of the capital city.

Vandalism on electricity assets owned by Nigeria's Transmission Company has recently increased, despite efforts by the Ministry of Power and the Office of the National Security Adviser to reduce the number of attacks.

However, on Friday, it was reported that power had been restored to almost all of the capital's affected areas.

"The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) regrets to inform you that its 330kV Shiroro-Katampe transmission line was vandalised on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. At approximately 11:43 p.m., the 330kV Shiroro-Katampe circuit lost grid power. "A trial reclosure was attempted, but the queue tripped immediately," the company stated.

The TCN confirmed in an Abuja statement, signed by its General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, that its engineers had been mobilised to repair the damage.

""A TCN lines patrol team was dispatched from the TCN Abuja regional office to investigate the cause of the fault. The team discovered that vandals had stolen a portion of the conductor between Towers T216 and T218.

"The TCN lines maintenance crew has since arrived at the site and is working hard to replace the vandalised 330kV power conductor. The restoration of bulk power supply via the affected line is expected soon.

"We ask the general public to help us identify and report suspicious activity around power transmission infrastructure. Your vigilance and cooperation are critical in assisting us to prevent vandalism or apprehend the perpetrators," Mbah stated.