Lambata: The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has initiated a sensitisation campaign in Lambata, located within the Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, to address the impact of vandalism on electricity infrastructure. The campaign aims to educate residents on the repercussions of such acts and to garner support from traditional rulers, vigilance groups, and security agencies.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Musa Shuaibu, the General Manager of Transmission for the Abuja Region at TCN, expressed concerns over the increasing attacks on electricity infrastructure in the region. He emphasized that vandalism constitutes economic sabotage, undermining electricity supply and hindering government efforts to enhance power provision for economic growth in Niger State. Shuaibu highlighted that vandals have damaged 14 tower spans of the company’s 132-kilovolt (KV) high-voltage transmission lines along the axis, which were originally constructed over 40 years ago to distribute electricity from the Shiroro axis through Minna, Bida, and Suleja to the Federal Capital Territory.
Shuaibu further warned of the dangers posed by residual voltage on the conductors when these lines are vandalized, potentially endangering farmers and animals in the vicinity. He stressed the importance of taking the issue seriously to avoid human casualties. The vandalized infrastructure is critical as it directly supplies power to Abuja Electricity Distribution Companies (AEDC), affecting consumer power supply.
The destruction of transmission assets also threatens the operations of the Niger State Electricity Commission and could deter industrial investment in the region. Shuaibu noted that several suspects linked to attacks on transmission facilities in the Federal Capital Territory are currently facing prosecution, highlighting the severity of the issue. He urged residents to report suspicious activities around transmission lines, offering rewards to communities that help expose vandals.
Mr. Ada Ngbede, Deputy Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the Gurara Division, described vandalism as an act of economic sabotage that undermines development. Ngbede emphasized that cutting cables or stealing transformers is not merely a scrap business but an act of sabotage against the country, urging collaboration between security agencies and communities to combat the problem.
ASP Galadima Edward, representing the Divisional Police Officer of Lambata, underscored the critical nature of transmission facilities as national assets needing protection. He called for collaboration among communities and security agencies to address the recurring vandalism in the Lambata axis and Gurara communities.
Alhaji Ibrahim Salihu, the District Head of Izom in Gurara Local Government Area, assured TCN of the support of traditional institutions in addressing the issue. He stressed the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious activities to security agencies. Salihu also emphasized the need for mobility for vigilante groups to monitor power facilities and called on TCN to enhance monitoring of its right-of-way corridors to prevent encroachment and reduce opportunities for vandalism.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the meeting was attended by officials of the local vigilance group, officers of the NSCDC, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Niger State Road Traffic Management Agency.