- Vandalism Incident: Four TCN towers along the Owerri-Ahoada 132kV Double Circuit line were vandalized, cutting off power supply to Bayelsa State and parts of Rivers State
- Damage Assessment: A team of TCN engineers visited the site to assess the damage, and efforts are underway to mobilize personnel and materials for repairs.
- Impact: The incident disrupted power supply to the Ahoada, Gbarain, and Yenagoa 132kV transmission substations.
- Previous Incidents: This is not the first time TCN has faced vandalism issues. In July and August 2024, 13 transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV double circuit transmission line were destroyed, leading to a prolonged power outage in Bayelsa state
- Restoration Efforts: TCN has successfully restored bulk power supply to Bayelsa State after replacing 20 vandalized towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line .
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has suffered another vandalism attack, this time on four of its towers along the Owerri-Ahoada 132kV Double Circuit line. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, March 11, around 6:23 p.m., resulted in the collapse of towers T171 to T174, cutting off power supply to Bayelsa State and parts of Rivers State.
This isn’t the first time TCN has faced vandalism issues. In August 2024, 13 transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV double circuit transmission line were destroyed, leading to a prolonged power outage in Bayelsa state . In another incident, two transmission towers were destroyed in Igbooghene community of Bayelsa state .
The TCN has been working to repair the damaged towers, with 65% of repairs completed on the vandalized 132kV Ahoada-Yenagoa transmission line towers as of October 2024 .
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed that vandalism caused the collapse of a power transmission tower, disrupting electricity supply to parts of Rivers State and the entire Bayelsa State. The affected areas include the Ahoada, Gbarain, and Yenagoa 132kV transmission substations.
A team of TCN engineers, led by Engr. Emmanuel Apka, has assessed the damage, and efforts are underway to repair the vandalized towers and restore bulk power supply to the affected areas.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of vandalism in Nigeria’s power sector. The TCN has condemned the attack and urged host communities to support the fight against power infrastructure vandalism.
It’s worth noting that Bayelsa State has been working to improve its power supply, with initiatives like the 10MW gas-fired independent power plant constructed by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) . However, incidents like this vandalism incident underscore the need for continued efforts to protect power infrastructure and ensure reliable electricity supply.
