Vandals Destroy Gombe-Borno Transmission Tower – TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says its tower T372, along the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri 330kV transmission line, has been destroyed by vandals.

In a statement on Sunday, Ndidi Mbah, general manager of public affairs at TCN, said the incident happened at Kasaisa village, Gujba LGA located along Biu-Damaturu Road on Saturday around 1:44 am.

“This development has thrown the whole of Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, up to Maiduguri in Borno State out of power supply,” TCN said.

“This time, the vandals cut off all four tower footing, resulting in the collapse of tower T372 along the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri section, which was discovered by TCN’s linesmen deployed on emergency patrol.

“Following this destructive attack, effort is ongoing by TCN’s engineers in the interim, to back feed Damaturu through a 33kV transmission line from Potiskum, while Maiduguri town will be fed from the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP).”

TCN said work will commence immediately to dismantle and evacuate the collapsed tower for the reconstruction and restoration of the transmission line.

The company frowned on the incessant attacks on its collective national assets and enjoined citizens to be vigilant in protecting them.

The company also urged Nigerians to “report suspicious activities or persons around our transmission infrastructure to law enforcement agents or TCN offices in that vicinity”.

Assuring a quick restoration of bulk power to the affected areas, the organisation said it would expedite reconstruction work on the tower to ensure that it is completed as soon as possible.

On April 22, the TCN said four of its towers along the Jos–Gombe 330 Kilo Volt (kV) transmission line were vandalised.