Parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are experiencing power disruptions after suspected vandals attacked the 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line 1, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). The attack, which occurred in the early hours of November 9, 2024, damaged three transmission towers, leading to a significant interruption in power supply.
TCN, in a statement released on Sunday, explained that efforts to re-energize the line earlier on Saturday were unsuccessful. After the line tripped and multiple attempts to restore it failed, a team of TCN engineers was dispatched to investigate the issue. Upon inspection, they found that transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 had been vandalized, and two spans of aluminum conductor were stolen. This theft disrupted the transmission of bulk power along the line.
Although the 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line is a double-circuit line, TCN confirmed that bulk power is still being supplied through line two. However, efforts are underway to source replacement conductors for the stolen spans.
The TCN also highlighted the growing challenge of vandalism targeting critical power infrastructure, noting that such attacks continue to undermine the stability and growth of Nigeria’s national grid. In particular, there have been several incidents of vandalism in the Gwagwalada area, including attacks on the Gwagwalada–Kukuwaba–Apo transmission line in December 2023 and the Gwagwalada–Katampe line in February 2024, among others.
TCN emphasized the severe impact of these criminal activities on the country’s power sector and called on local communities and security agencies to collaborate in preventing further vandalism. While the specific areas in Abuja affected by the current power outage were not mentioned, the ongoing issue of grid collapses—11 of which have occurred in 2024 alone—has already left millions of Nigerians without power.
The company warned that such acts of vandalism not only harm the economy but also hinder efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s power transmission network.
