Vandalism plunges Bayelsa into extended blackout

Vandals have severely disrupted the power supply in Bayelsa State by targeting 13 critical transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit transmission line, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The incident, which also affected several communities in Rivers State, plunged the region into an extended blackout, with officials warning that it could take several months to restore power.

The vandalism, which involved the destruction of towers T52 to T64, has left nine towers completely collapsed and four others on the verge of falling.

During a site inspection, a TCN team led by Emmanuel Akpa, the General Manager of the Port Harcourt Transmission region, discovered the damage. The incident was first reported by the Youth President of the Ukpeli Community in Rivers State on August 12, 2024.

The affected transmission line is crucial for delivering electricity from the Ahoada Transmission Substation to the Yenagoa Substation, which supplies power to the entire Bayelsa State. The extent of the damage is expected to cause prolonged power outages, severely impacting residents and businesses in the region.

Sule Abdulaziz, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of TCN, described the vandalism as a “national disaster” and called on the governments of Rivers and Bayelsa states to assist in curbing the rising incidents of vandalism targeting power infrastructure.

He noted that this recent attack comes from ongoing repairs to previously vandalized towers along the same transmission route.

The 13 vandalized towers are located across several communities, including Okobe, Emezhi 1, and Mbiama in Rivers State, as well as Igbogene in Bayelsa State.

In response to the growing threat, TCN is urging local communities, security agencies, traditional rulers, and state governments to collaborate in protecting vital power infrastructure from further attacks.