The Federal Government has confirmed it has spent a total of N8.8 billion on the repair and restoration of transmission towers that were vandalized across various parts of the country in 2024.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director and CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ahmed Abdulaziz, during the Quarterly Power Sector Working Group meeting in Abuja.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser to the Minister of Power on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, noted that while vandals have been arrested, the prosecution process has faced significant setbacks, as the suspects are typically released on bail by the Nigerian Police.
Abdulaziz, represented by TCN Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider, Engr. Olugbenga Ajiboye, revealed that between January and November 2024, a total of 128 transmission towers have been destroyed by vandals or bandits across the country.
He expressed frustration over the lack of progress in prosecuting the perpetrators, who often return to their destructive activities after being granted bail.
“To date, 128 of our towers have been destroyed by vandals or bandits. We have spent an estimated N8.8 billion to restore them to full functionality,” Abdulaziz stated.
He further criticized the failure to charge vandals under appropriate legal categories, explaining that they are often arrested for theft instead of vandalism, allowing them to be granted bail. “If they were charged with vandalism, they could not be bailed, but this is the situation we face. Many have been arrested, but they are always bailed because the police often classify their offenses as theft.”
Abdulaziz also shared the difficulties faced by TCN crews in restoring power infrastructure in high-risk areas. “When the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna towers were destroyed, we had to arrange full military escorts for our contractors. In some cases, we were only allowed to work for two hours a day, and at times, we were told it was too unsafe to proceed. These are just some of the many challenges we face in the power sector,” he said.
The ongoing destruction of power infrastructure and the challenges of securing prosecutions for vandals continue to pose significant obstacles to the provision of reliable electricity in the country.
