The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported that its tower T372, part of the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri 330kV transmission line, was destroyed by vandals.
In a statement on Sunday, September 22, Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s general manager of public affairs, explained that the incident occurred at Kasaisa village in Gujba LGA along the Biu-Damaturu road on Saturday, September 21, around 1:44 a.m.
“This development has thrown the whole of Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, up to Maiduguri in Borno State out of power supply,” TCN said.
“This time, the vandals cut off all four tower footing, resulting in the collapse of tower T372 along the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri section, which was discovered by TCN’s linesmen deployed on emergency patrol.
“Following this destructive attack, effort is ongoing by TCN’s engineers in the interim, to back feed Damaturu through a 33kV transmission line from Potiskum, while Maiduguri town will be fed from the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP).”
TCN plans to begin dismantling and removing the collapsed tower immediately to facilitate the reconstruction and restoration of the transmission line.
The company has also urged the public to report any suspicious activities or individuals near transmission infrastructure to law enforcement or TCN offices in the area.
Assuring a prompt restoration of power to the affected regions, TCN emphasized its commitment to expedite the reconstruction work on the tower.
