Parts of Kano and Kaduna have been plunged into darkness following the destruction of two transmission towers owned by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The towers, T133 and T136, located along the 330-kilovolt Shiroro-Kaduna lines 1 and 2, were severely damaged by vandals, disrupting power transmission in the region.
TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah disclosed the extent of the damage in a statement on Friday, October 18, explaining that the transmission lines tripped consecutively, prompting an investigation.
“Efforts were still ongoing to reclose the first line when the second tripped, prompting the immediate mobilisation of local vigilantes to patrol the area,” Mbah said.
In response, the TCN is planning to deploy its newly procured Emergency Restoration System to the site while reconstruction is being organised.
Engineers have also put in place temporary measures to restore bulk power to the affected regions via the 330kV Kaduna-Jos transmission line.
The Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines are critical, as they deliver up to 600 megawatts of power each to parts of the North West region.
“The vandalism presents a significant challenge to bulk power transmission,” Mbah added, acknowledging the threat of banditry in the area, which has posed ongoing risks to TCN infrastructure.
This incident comes just days after a national grid collapse, further complicating the power situation in the country.