Blackout in Damaturu, Maiduguri as vandals destroy TCN towers

A power outage has struck Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, and Maiduguri in Borno State following the vandalism of a critical transmission tower.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria reported that tower No T372 along the 330kV Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri transmission line was deliberately brought down by vandals early Saturday morning.

In a press release issued on Sunday, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, confirmed the incident occurred at approximately 1:44 am.

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

The vandals severed all four tower footings, leading to the collapse of tower T372. TCN’s linesmen discovered the damage during an emergency patrol.

The company noted that it is implementing temporary measures to restore power.

“Following this destructive attack, efforts are 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,” it stated.

The company has also pledged to take swift action, stating, “Work will commence immediately to dismantle and evacuate the collapsed tower for reconstruction and restoration of the transmission line.”

TCN emphasised the importance of protecting national infrastructure, urging citizens to report any suspicious activity.

“TCN frowns at the incessant attack on our collective national assets and enjoins citizens to be vigilant in protecting these assets and also to report suspicious activities or persons around our transmission infrastructure to law enforcement agents or TCN offices in that vicinity,” it said.

As restoration efforts began, TCN reassured residents of its commitment to expedite the repair process to restore power to the affected areas as quickly as possible.

“TCN is committed to a quick restoration of bulk power to the affected areas and will expedite reconstruction work on the tower to ensure that it is completed as soon as possible,” the statement added.