Vandals Destroy 178 Transmission Towers In Six Months
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has revealed that 42 acts of vandalism were recorded across its transmission network in the first and second quarters of 2025, affecting no fewer than 178 towers nationwide.
The company’s General Manager, Transmission Service, Engr. Ali Sharifai disclosed this during a presentation on infrastructure vandalism at a workshop for Power Correspondents held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Thursday.
He said: “In the first and second quarters of 2025, a total of 42 acts of vandalism were recorded affecting a total of 178 towers,”.
Sharifai noted that the attacks have become a major challenge for the company, with significant implications for electricity transmission across the country.
He added that 2024 and 2025 have been the most difficult years for TCN as a result of the persistent sabotage of its facilities by non-state actors.
“In 2024 alone, a total of 86 towers were vandalised, with 26 completely brought down, throwing several states into total blackout. These incidents were recorded across our Abuja, Bauchi, Enugu, Shiroro, Kano, and Port Harcourt regions,” he said.
In addition to vandalism, Sharifai said natural disasters have also impacted TCN’s operations.
He cited a recent incident in May where six towers, T306, T307, T308, T365, T366, and T367, collapsed on the Kainji-Birnin Kebbi 330kV Single Circuit international line due to severe windstorms and torrential rainfall.
Another incident in the same month saw Tower T137 on the Apir-Lafia-Jos 330kV Double Circuit line partially collapse under similar weather conditions.
Sharifai attributed the rise in vandalism to a mix of sabotage, political interests, and economic hardship.
He highlighted the consequences of such acts, including prolonged power outages, financial strain due to high repair and replacement costs, and delayed grid expansion efforts due to the diversion of funds meant for infrastructure development.
“Beyond disruption of electricity supply, vandalism also poses a public safety risk. Moreover, it increases our operational costs and hampers efforts to expand the grid and pay contractors,” he said.
To mitigate the impact, Sharifai said the company had engaged local communities in high-risk areas and sought the intervention of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) following the increased incidents in 2024.
“As part of the response strategy, some critical transmission lines have been selected for a pilot monitoring scheme using state-of-the-art surveillance technology to detect and deter vandals,” he explained.
He also noted that public sensitisation campaigns across radio, television, and print media have raised awareness, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of several vandals.
“Through jingles, sponsored programmes, and community outreach, we have emphasised that TCN infrastructure belongs to Nigerians and must be protected,” he said.
Vandals Destroy 178 Transmission Towers In Six Months is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
