Electricity supply across Nigeria, already marred by weeks of instability, faces further threats following fresh attacks on key transmission infrastructure by vandals.

Thirty-one transmission towers along the 330kV Benin-Egbin and Benin-Omotosho transmission lines in Okada and Ofosu communities were destroyed in the latest attacks, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said Tuesday.

TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah confirmed that critical components were removed from the damaged towers during the attacks, discovered by TCN linesmen during routine patrols.

“A team of engineers from the Benin Sub-Region has initiated repairs to prevent the collapse of these towers and avoid disruptions to bulk power supply,” Mbah said.

Further compounding the crisis, vandals targeted the TCN Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line, stealing approximately one-third of its conductor. The attack affected towers 29 to 31, which had been under repair after a similar incident in August. This has resulted in prolonged power outages in Bayelsa State.

Towards the end of September, TCN reported a 65% completion rate in repairing 17 damaged towers. However, the latest incidents have set back progress. Engineers, led by Emmanuel Akpa, General Manager of the Port Harcourt Region, are now working to replace the stolen 250mm conductor.

The escalating vandalism is a significant contributor to Nigeria’s recurrent national grid collapses, the TCN said. The company identified Shiroro, Jebba, and Gomo hubs as primary sources of instability, citing high-frequency disruptions.

Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu disclosed that repairs on vandalized installations across the north have so far cost the government N9 billion. He noted that this does not account for the billions lost in productivity and services due to blackouts.

Adelabu indicated that additional funds would be sought through a supplementary budget or the 2025 Appropriation Bill to address the crisis.

“This is a national issue and must be recognized as such for immediate intervention,” he said.

Despite ongoing efforts, the frequent attacks highlight Nigeria’s fragile electricity infrastructure and underline the need for robust security measures to protect critical assets.

The financial and operational strain on the power sector continues to raise questions about the sustainability of the government’s repair-and-replace strategy in the face of persistent vandalism.