The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed yesterday that its tower T372, along the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri 330 Kilovolt (kV) transmission line, was destroyed by vandals.

TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, said in Abuja that the incident occurred on Saturday at approximately 1:44 a.m.

She said this development cut off the power supply to Damaturu, Yobe State, and Maiduguri, Borno State.

She explained that the vandals severed all four tower footings, leading to the tower’s collapse.

They were discovered by TCN linesmen on emergency patrol.

According to Mbah, Maiduguri will receive power from the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP).

“Following the destructive attack, TCN’s engineers are working to temporarily back-feed Damaturu through a 33kV transmission line from Potiskum,” she said. “Meanwhile, work will begin immediately to dismantle and remove the collapsed tower to reconstruct and restore the transmission line. TCN condemns the constant attacks on our collective national assets and urges citizens to be vigilant in protecting them. They should report suspicious activities or persons around our transmission infrastructure to law enforcement agents or TCN offices nearby.”

Mbah said TCN is committed to quickly restoring bulk power to the affected areas and will expedite the tower’s reconstruction to ensure its completion as soon as possible.