By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian power sector is facing renewed pressure following a dramatic increase in the vandalism of transmission infrastructure, raising fresh concerns about the country’s electricity supply and the sustainability of ongoing reforms.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed that 42 incidents of vandalism were recorded between January and June 2025 alone, resulting in damage to 178 transmission towers. This follows a similarly devastating year in 2024, during which 86 towers were targeted, with 26 completely destroyed, leaving several states in prolonged darkness.
General Manager of Transmission Services at TCN, Ali Sharifai, made these revelations during a media workshop for energy correspondents held in Abuja on Thursday. He described the situation as a growing national crisis that is disrupting electricity delivery and threatening grid stability.
“These past two years, 2024 and 2025, have been the most challenging for TCN,” Sharifai stated. “The attacks on our infrastructure by non-state actors have placed enormous financial and operational strain on the company. Resources that should be directed toward grid expansion and new projects are now being redirected to emergency repairs and heightened security.”
A regional analysis of the attacks reveals a widespread and alarming pattern:
Port Harcourt region recorded the highest number of incidents, with 17 attacks affecting 72 towers.
Kano region followed with 8 incidents and 29 towers vandalised.
Kaduna reported 2 attacks, damaging 35 towers.
Abuja region saw 4 cases, affecting 11 towers.
Enugu and Shiroro regions each recorded 2 attacks, impacting 16 and 3 towers respectively.
Lagos experienced 5 incidents, with 9 towers affected, while Osogbo reported 2 attacks involving 3 towers.
Sharifai indicated that certain acts of sabotage, particularly in and around the Federal Capital Territory, may be politically driven. He cited repeated attacks on key transmission lines such as the Shiroro–Katampe and Ajaokuta–Gwagwalada 330kV lines, as well as deliberate destruction of underground cables in Abuja’s Central Area, which came close to triggering a citywide blackout.
He also pointed to varied motives across regions. In the North-East and South-South, attacks are often linked to insurgency and youth unrest. In contrast, economic factors appear to drive vandalism in areas such as Port Harcourt and Kano, where stolen components are allegedly sold into a booming scrap metal market.
“The scrap business is thriving in several regions,” Sharifai said. “Vital transmission parts are being removed and sold to recycling markets, contributing to the wave of attacks.”
He added that natural disasters have further exacerbated the sector’s vulnerability. In May 2025, six towers on the Kainji–Birnin Kebbi 330kV international line were brought down by severe windstorms and heavy rainfall.
With rising threats from both human activity and environmental factors, Sharifai warned that the power grid remains at risk of systemic failure unless urgent and coordinated measures are implemented to safeguard critical infrastructure.
“Our ability to deliver steady electricity hinges not just on generation and transmission capacity, but on the security of our assets,” he said. “Without decisive intervention, the country may continue to face widespread outages and stalled progress in the energy sector.”