Vandalism of power infrastructure has become a daunting challenge plaguing the Nigerian power sector, as it continues to impede adequate power supply to many Nigerians.
According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria, there has been a surge in transmission infrastructures across the country, with over 18 transmission towers vandalized between January 9 and 14, 2025, across Rivers, Abia, and Kano States.
Among these incidents of vandalism reported by the company is the damage done to towers 171 through 181 and tower 184 and towers 146, 147, and 149 along the Owerri/Ahoada 132kV line in Rivers State, removing base brackets and compromising the stability of the towers on January 10 and 14th respectively.
It also noted that in Kano, towers 105, 106, and 107 along the Katsina-Gazoua 132/33kV transmission line were critically damaged by vandals on January 9, 2025, compromising their structural integrity and risking collapse, also, it reported the vandalization of 132kV underground transmission cables were discovered by TCN engineers near Millennium Park in Abuja. This affected power supply to the central area and its environs.
These incidents, according to the company, pose a significant challenge to its operations. “We have bolstered security measures, increased lines patrol, and the number of vigilante groups, and we are also collaborating with security operatives. However, we need and are appealing for the full support of every Nigerian, particularly those in communities hosting our installations. We must collectively recognise that the transmission network is our collective asset and essential for our socioeconomic development.
Read also: TCN decry surge in infrastructure vandalism
“The vandals and those who buy stolen materials are sabotaging the nation. All hands must be on deck to ensure the growth of the nation’s power sector, which is critical to the development of our country. TCN’s grid expansion plans are under tremendous strain due to the persistent vandalism of its installations. The financial implications of constant repairs to vandalized transmission installations, along with the stress on the grid, are having adverse effects on TCNs grid expansion drive,” the company said.
Speaking with BusinessDay, Adetayo Adegbemle, Executive Director of PowerUp Nigeria said that the incessant attacks on power infrastructure require a deliberate and concerted effort to address.
He emphasizes the need for a national campaign against vandalism, adding that policies like whistleblowing that reward reporting of any suspicious activities around the power sector infrastructure should be adopted.
”I have at several times criticized the Transmission Company of Nigeria for not doing enough, by constantly engaging all stakeholders and especially the security outfits and consciously educating Nigerians on the effects of such acts.
‘’But curiously though, we have seen more incessant attacks on grid infrastructure than telecommunications infrastructure, which also reinforced my belief that this is also looking like an inside job. This emphasizes that a national campaign is urgently needed against vandalism, and policies like whistleblowing that reward reporting of any suspicious activities around the power sector infrastructure are needed.
”We need to go beyond paying lip service and being pained every time these vandals bring any infrastructure down. The security outfits should also be up and doing, as definitely if there are no buyers, vandalism would not be attractive,” he said.
Kunle Olubiyo, president, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, noted that the negative impact of repeated vandalism on the National power infrastructure is enormous and immeasurable as it causes a drain on national resources and a huge loss of revenue.
He stressed that as part of the solution, there is a need for investment in modern technology such as satellite-enabled surveillance systems that could help in real-time monitoring of the electricity network covering the entire national landscape.
”Securing the power infrastructures requires a huge amount of financial resources and manpower with corresponding investments in modern technology like drones patrols, wide aerial patrols that could be done by helicopters.’’
Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power in a recent engagement decried the increasing cases of infrastructure vandalism across the country, stating that the federal government spent over N9 billion to restore vandalized power infrastructure in Northern Nigeria in 2024.
The continued cases of vandalism according to Adelabu are undermining the government’s effort towards ensuring adequate power supply to Nigerians.
To address this, the Ministry of power has budgeted N8 billion in the 2025 budget appropriation specifically for advocacy, education, enlightenment, and provision of technology to protect power infrastructure. This fund, Adelabu said will also be used to promote enlightenment of Nigerians on the need to protect and take ownership of the power infrastructure and other national assets.
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