TCN Raises Alarm Over Vandalism, 264 Transmission Towers Down

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised serious concerns over the persistent vandalism of its high-voltage power transmission infrastructure, disclosing that no fewer than 264 towers have been destroyed across the country between January 2024 and June 2025. The development, attributed to sabotage, political motives, and economic gain, has severely undermined national power supply and grid expansion efforts.

Speaking at a media workshop for energy correspondents in Nasarawa State on Thursday, Transmission Company of Nigeria General Manager, Transmission Service Provider, Engr. Ali Sharifai, described the past 15 months as the most challenging period in the company’s operational history due to incessant attacks on critical power infrastructure.

“Between January 2024 and June 2025, we have recorded 42 separate incidents of vandalism affecting 264 towers. In 2024 alone, 86 towers were vandalised, with 26 completely collapsed. In the first and second quarters of 2025, a staggering 178 towers were affected,” Sharifai revealed.

He explained that the attacks were widespread, impacting TCN’s transmission lines in key power regions including Abuja, Bauchi, Enugu, Kano, Port Harcourt, Shiroro, and Lagos. The Port Harcourt region emerged as the worst-hit area, recording 17 cases of vandalism with 72 towers affected. The Kaduna region followed closely with 35 towers affected in just two acts of vandalism.

Sharifai identified three major motives behind the destruction: politically driven sabotage, insecurity in regions like the North-East and South-South, and economic incentives linked to Nigeria’s booming scrap metal market. “What’s taken from our towers is often sold and recycled with ease, which fuels further criminal activity,” he noted.

The company also linked the repeated attacks on the Shiroro-Katampe, Ajaokuta-Gwagwalada 330kV lines, and the underground 132kV cable in Abuja’s Central Area to deliberate political sabotage aimed at disrupting services in the Federal Capital Territory.

Beyond vandalism, TCN’s operations have also been threatened by natural disasters. In May 2025, six towers on the Kainji-Birnin Kebbi 330kV line were brought down by heavy windstorms, while a partial collapse occurred on the Apir-Lafia-Jos line.

The financial burden of these attacks is staggering. Industry analysis indicates that replacing each tower costs approximately N68.7 million. With 264 towers damaged, the total cost to TCN could reach N18.14 billion — funds originally earmarked for power grid expansion and network upgrades.

“This is a double blow,” Sharifai lamented. “Funds meant for critical infrastructure expansion are now being diverted to emergency repairs. It slows down our ability to execute projects and delays improvement in national electricity supply.”

To address the crisis, the TCN has intensified collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), state governments, and security agencies. The agency has also launched a pilot project to deploy smart surveillance technology on critical transmission corridors and has increased community engagement and sensitisation campaigns.

According to Sharifai, these efforts are beginning to yield results. “Our collaboration with Borno and Yobe States has yielded zero incidents of vandalism in those areas. We believe community partnership is key,” he said.

The agency is also working closely with law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice. “Some suspects have been arrested and are currently undergoing prosecution,” he confirmed.

In a rallying call to Nigerians, the TCN urged citizens to treat public infrastructure as national assets and to report suspicious activities near power facilities. “If you see something, say something,” Sharifai appealed.

The damage caused by the vandalism extends beyond physical infrastructure — it disrupts economic activity, delays electrification of rural areas, and undercuts the federal government’s broader energy transition agenda. Experts say the government must now consider stiffer penalties for vandalism and regulate the scrap metal market to mitigate further losses.

As Nigeria grapples with deep-rooted power challenges, the TCN’s renewed efforts to protect its infrastructure could mark a critical step in ensuring long-term energy reliability, economic stability, and investor confidence in the nation’s electricity sector.