Feb 26 (Headline news) Suspected terrorists have once again targeted two electricity transmission towers along the Gombe-Damaturu segment of the power infrastructure operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). This incident occurred approximately two months after the TCN reported the vandalism of tower T372 near Katsaita village in Yobe state. The destruction of towers T377 and T378 resulted in the collapse of the 330kV transmission tower, subsequently affecting tower T373 along the same route. These attacks have left the power supply infrastructure in the North-eastern part of Nigeria severely compromised.
Previously, just before Christmas last year, another attack plunged Borno and Yobe into darkness, with parts of Borno experiencing prolonged blackouts due to previous assaults until the federal government managed to restore power. A week after the Christmas incident, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was killed in another bombing targeting three power transmission towers along the Maiduguri-Damaturu route. In 2021, terrorists planted explosive devices along the path of power restoration efforts in Borno, resulting in casualties among TCN staff and soldiers guarding the infrastructure.
The latest attack, as reported by the TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, led to a loss of up to 5MW on the line. Efforts to restore the towers are underway, with temporary electricity supply arrangements made from the Potiskum transmission substation while contractors are mobilized for repairs. The TCN urged authorities to enhance security measures to prevent future attacks, reiterating its condemnation of sabotage and commitment to expedite restoration efforts.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, recently announced collaboration with the National Security Adviser’s office to address such threats. Nonetheless, the TCN emphasized the need for intensified efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s power infrastructure and minimize the impact of such incidents on affected areas.
