Six power transmission towers belonging to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company have been destroyed by vandals in Rivers State, while a member of a vigilante group in the affected area was shot dead by the miscreants, the NDPHC announced on Sunday.
It said the unrelenting attacks on power infrastructure by economic saboteurs leading to the inability of Nigerians to access adequate electricity for economic growth had continued unabated.
“In recent times, several projects being embarked upon by Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited have been attacked and contractors either killed or maimed by attackers,” the power firm stated in a statement issued in Abuja by its Media Adviser, Adesanya Adejokun.
It stated that on September 3, 2022, some miscreants attacked and vandalised the 330kV DC Afam – Onne Transmission Line in Gbake community of Ogoniland, Rivers State.
It said the vandals cut down four transmission towers (T19, T20, T21 and T22), dismantled and carted them away, adding that on October 10, 2022, the miscreants attacked and vandalised two additional towers on the same 330kV DC Afam – Onne Transmission Line.
“During a third attempt, luck, however, ran out on them as efforts of vigilante members, buoyed by security operatives paid off, resulting in the arrest of nine of the miscreants. They have since been charged to court to face the full wrath of the law,” the NDPHC stated.
It added, “During routine patrol in the night of November 25, 2022, vigilantes again encountered vandals along the same Afam-Onne 330kV DC Transmission Line. The vigilantes called for military reinforcement but before help came, one of the guards was shot and later died.”