Rivers, Bayelsa States Plunged Into Blackout As Vandals Destroy Major Transmission Towers
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in a statement confirmed that four towers — T171 to T174 — collapsed due to vandalism.
Amajor power outage has hit Bayelsa and parts of Rivers State following the destruction of several transmission towers by suspected vandals along the Owerri-Ahoada 132kV line.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in a statement confirmed that four towers — T171 to T174 — collapsed due to vandalism.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 6:23 pm on Tuesday, has severely disrupted electricity supply to several areas, including the Ahoada, Gbarain, and Yenagoa 132kV transmission substations.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) regrets to inform the public that four of its towers along the Owerri-Ahoada 132kV Double Circuit line have been vandalized, resulting in their collapse,” the statement, signed by TCN Spokesperson Ndidi Mbah, read.
“The affected towers, T171 to T174, were compromised, which led to their collapse at approximately 6:23 pm on Tuesday, 11th March.
“The towers were discovered after a failed trial reclosure that prompted a subsequent patrol. Investigations confirmed that the towers’ collapse was a direct result of vandalism.”
TCN noted that this latest act of vandalism follows a series of similar attacks in the region, including on the Ahoada-Yenagoa line, which has repeatedly suffered sabotage, hampering power supply and repair efforts.
The company has dispatched a team of engineers, led by the General Manager of the Port Harcourt Region, Engr. Emmanuel Apka, to assess the extent of the damage.
Efforts are underway to mobilise personnel and materials for the repairs to restore bulk power supply to the affected states.
“We condemn this act of vandalism, which continues to undermine efforts made to put in place a robust transmission grid.
“We are again calling on host communities to join us in the urgent fight against the vandalism of power infrastructure,” TCN stated.
Residents of Bayelsa and parts of Rivers State now face an indefinite blackout as authorities work to restore electricity in the wake of the attack.
TCN has urged security agencies to intensify efforts to curb the menace of power infrastructure vandalism.
