The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced that its Tower T347 along the Gombe–Damaturu 330kV transmission line was vandalized on Friday, at about 5:46 pm.
This act has resulted in the partial disruption of the bulk power supply to Maiduguri, Borno State capital and Damaturu, Yobe state capital and its environs.
The General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, who disclosed this on Sunday said that TCN team who carried out routine inspection along the line route discovered that the tower’s legs had been cut off, causing it to buckle to one side.
The said that TCN however, noted that despite these challenges, the bulk supply is being maintained through the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP), which currently feeds the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) for onward distribution to consumers through major 33kV feeders, including Beneshiek, Damasak, Bama, University, Campus, Maiduguri Town, Monguno, and others.
Additionally, Damaturu and its environs will be supplied from the Potiskum Substation for the time being.
According to the statement, TCN engineers are already on site, working to replace the damaged tower and restore normal transmission.
"TCN strongly condemns this act of vandalism and appeals to the public to protect national assets and report any suspicious activities to security agencies or the nearest TCN office."