Maiduguri, Yobe experience partial blackout as vandals wreck TCN tower

By Olakunle Oke 

Partd of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as well as Damaturu in Yobe State and surrounding communities are experiencing a partial blackout as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported the vandalism of one of its towers, identified as Tower T347, along the Gombe Damaturu 330kV transmission line. 

According to a statement issued by TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the company’s maintenance team discovered during a routine inspection that the legs of the tower had been cut off, causing it to tilt dangerously.

Despite the setback, TCN assured that electricity supply to affected areas is being sustained through alternative sources.

The company explained that the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP) is currently providing power to the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) for onward distribution through major 33kV feeders, including Beneshiek, Damasak, Bama, University, Campus, Maiduguri Town, and Monguno. Damaturu and nearby areas are temporarily being supplied from the Potiskum Substation.

"TCN engineers have since been deployed to the site to replace the damaged tower and restore full transmission." The statement read.

The company also strongly condemned the act of vandalism, describing it as sabotage against national infrastructure.

It also appealed to members of the public to help safeguard electricity installations and report any suspicious movements or activities around power facilities to security agencies or the nearest TCN office.