Parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been hit by power disruptions after suspected vandals attacked the 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
In a statement on Sunday, TCN reported that the incident, which occurred in the early hours of November 9, 2024, compromised three transmission towers.
The TCN explained that engineers attempted to re-energize the line on Saturday, but the system tripped. Following this, a patrol team discovered that vandals had damaged towers T306, T307, and T308, and stolen two spans of aluminum conductor from the line, disrupting bulk power flow along this route. While TCN continues to supply power through the second line of the double-circuit system, efforts are underway to replace the stolen materials.
This latest act of vandalism adds to an alarming pattern of attacks across the national grid, which TCN warns is hindering the expansion and stability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure. In recent months, the Gwagwalada area alone has suffered multiple incidents, including attacks on the Gwagwalada–Kukuwaba–Apo and Gwagwalada–Katampe lines.
TCN appealed to the public, particularly communities near transmission lines, to support anti-vandalism efforts, stressing that such acts undermine the stability of the nation’s transmission system. These challenges come amid frequent grid collapses in 2024, with 11 incidents so far leaving millions without power. TCN did not specify the exact areas in Abuja affected by the latest disruption.
