Abuja had prior to this witnessed power outage, when the same transmission line was destroyed by vandals in March
By Kehinde Okeowo
Vandals nefarious activities in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have once again plunged some parts of the nation’s capital into total darkness.
This is as the assailants destroyed the 330-kilovolt Shiroro-Katampe transmission line.
The development was disclosed via a statement issued on Thursday night by the spokesperson of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ndidi Mbah.
According to her, the incident occurred at approximately 11:43 pm on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, and led to the loss of supply by the line on the grid.
Prior to this, vandals had destroyed the same transmission line on March 10, 2024, making it the fifth time the incident would occur between February and March this year.
Speaking further on the latest act of vandalism, Mbah noted that the TCN patrol team dispatched to investigate the incident discovered that vandals had stolen part of the conductor between towers T216 and T218.
ALSO READ: NERC hands over Lagos power market regulation to LASERC
She went on to say the maintenance crew had been deployed and restoration of bulk power supply through the affected line is expected in due time.
She said, “A TCN lines patrol team was dispatched from the Abuja Regional office of TCN to investigate the cause of the fault. The team discovered that vandals had stolen part of the conductor between towers T216 and T218
“The TCN lines maintenance crew has since mobilised to the site and is working assiduously to replace the vandalised 330kV power conductor. Restoration of bulk power supply through the affected line is expected soon,” Mbah stated.
Earlier, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, in two separate notices, announced a power outage in parts of the nation’s capital.
Areas affected include CBN Headquarters, Ecumenical Centre, Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, New Chelsea Hotel, Army War College, Reiz, Continental Hotel, NBS, Lozumba Complex, UTC, Gidan Isah, Area 10, and environs.
Others are: Katsina Ala, Kila Close, Rudolf Close, La Street, Rima Street, Ekororo Street, Sand Link Street, Olufemi and Laih Street, and their environs.