By 9jaeye 
For the umpteenth time this year, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported a vandalism incident affecting the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri 330kV transmission line. This critical infrastructure has been under frequent attacks by terrorists in the Northeast, with repeated destruction following numerous repairs by TCN.
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, at approximately 1:44 AM, vandals targeted tower No. T372 along this vital transmission line, leading to widespread power outages. The attack has plunged Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, into darkness and also affected the neighboring city of Maiduguri in Borno State.
According to TCN, the vandals severed all four tower footings, causing tower T372 to collapse. This damage was discovered by TCN’s emergency patrol teams. In response, TCN’s engineers are working to restore power by rerouting electricity to Damaturu through a 33kV transmission line from Potiskum, while Maiduguri will receive power from the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP).
The company has announced that it will begin dismantling and removing the collapsed tower immediately to facilitate reconstruction and restore the transmission line. TCN has expressed its dismay over the ongoing attacks on national assets and urges the public to remain vigilant in safeguarding these critical infrastructures. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities or individuals near transmission facilities to law enforcement or TCN offices.
TCN is committed to quickly restoring bulk power to the affected regions and is prioritizing the reconstruction of the damaged tower to minimize downtime.