The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed that it spent ₦8.8 billion in 2024 to repair and restore transmission towers damaged by vandals and bandits across the country. This disclosure was made by the Managing Director and CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ahmed Abdulaziz, during the Quarterly Power Sector Working Group meeting held in Abuja.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Power on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, it was noted that prosecuting arrested vandals remains a challenge. According to the statement, these individuals are often released on bail by the Nigerian Police, hindering efforts to deter such crimes.
Represented by TCN’s Executive Director for Transmission Service Provider, Engr. Olugbenga Ajiboye, Abdulaziz disclosed that 128 transmission towers had been destroyed nationwide between January and November 2024.
“As of today, 128 of our transmission towers have been damaged by vandals or bandits. We have spent about ₦8.8 billion to restore these towers and bring them back to full functionality,” Abdulaziz stated.
He expressed frustration over the legal bottlenecks, explaining that apprehended vandals are frequently charged with theft instead of vandalism. “Under theft charges, they are eligible for bail, but if prosecuted for vandalism, bail would not be granted. This has allowed many offenders to return to their illegal activities,” he lamented.
Abdulaziz further highlighted the dangers faced during repair operations, citing incidents where contractors required military escorts to access and restore damaged infrastructure. “In some cases, the military allowed us only two hours of work per day due to security concerns, and on certain days, it wasn’t safe to proceed at all,” he said.
He also mentioned the destruction of the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna towers as an example, describing the logistical and security challenges involved in restoring power under such circumstances. “How can we deliver reliable electricity to Nigerians when faced with these overwhelming obstacles?” Abdulaziz questioned.
The statement underscores the critical need for stronger measures to address vandalism, enhance infrastructure protection, and ensure uninterrupted power supply in Nigeria.
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