Oredola Adeola

Despite significant drop in electricity supply across the country, attackers have simultaneous targeted Nigeria’s power infrastructure, with the Dan’agundi Transmission Station in Kano City being ravaged by flames and the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line in Abuja sabotaged at different periods on Sunday.

As of the period of filing this report, Advisors Reports’ check showed that the cause of the fire is yet to be determined by the relevant authorities but has resulted in significant damage to power evacuation to the Kano and its environs.

Advisors Reports gathered that this incident is reminiscent of a previous fire outbreak at the same station in 2017, which led to power outages in parts of Kano city.

While the Management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has not issued official statement in respect of Kano fire outbreak, Ndidi Mbah, TCN General Manager, Public Affairs has confirmed that the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line, was vandalized, making the fifth such incident within February and March,2024 of this year.

According to Mbah, at approximately 9am on Sunday, the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line experienced a trip.

She said, “Following initial investigations, TCN engineers attempted to restore operation but were unsuccessful. Subsequently, efforts were made to identify the fault location.

“Hence, 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. Mbah therefore stated that the TCN is currently mobilizing for conductor replacement, pending completion of security operations at the site.

She further said, “Nevertheless, the second line remains fully operational, in conjunction with the Gwagwalada 330kV line serving the Kukwaba-Apo axis.

“Also, the wheeling capacity of TCN towards Abuja and environs would be enhanced by the Lokoja – Gwagwalada 330kV transmission line.

Mbah therefore emphasised that the TCN is working hard to minimise the adverse effect of these acts of sabotage on bulk power supply to Abuja and environs.

She said, “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.

She confirmed that these acts of sabotage are unacceptable and has therefore urged relevant security agencies and host communities to collaborate in apprehending the perpetrators.

According to her, the protection of the nation’s transmission infrastructure is paramount and collective efforts are required to curb these incidents.

While calling on all Nigerians to assist in reporting such acts of vandalism, Mbah emphasised that electricity infrastructure is a national asset, and safeguarding it is a collective responsibility.