The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised alarm that its 132kV transmission line and underground cables, which supply power to the Central Area and surrounding regions in Abuja, including the Presidential Villa, have been vandalised, resulting in a power outage.
The incident, which took place around the Millennium Park axis of Abuja, has, according to the company, affected over 60% of the power supply to Abuja. The vandals removed 40 metres of 1x500mm² XLPE conductors from two 132kV transmission lines.
As a result, areas including Maitama, Wuse, Jabi, Life Camp, Asokoro, Utako, Mabushi, and parts of the Presidential Villa are experiencing power outages.
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“TCN engineers have already been mobilized to the site of the incident to repair the vandalised cables. We enjoin Nigerians to be vigilant in observing and reporting suspicious activities to security operatives. We must work together to protect our transmission equipment and installations. This is very crucial to the development of the nation’s power sector,” the company stated.
Meanwhile the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended 36 scavengers over alleged possession of illicit drugs and weapons in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Commandant, NSCDC FCT Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this, on Friday in Abuja, saying the suspects were caught in various areas of the FCT.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had prohibited activities of scavengers in the FCT and suspended for two weeks operations of pan-takers across the city.
Odumosu said that items allegedly recovered from the suspects included four daggers, three Jack knives, two chisels and, three knives.
Others are narcotic drugs, ten bottles of codeine syrup, 45 wraps of cannabis sativa, thrash bags and pieces of iron rods.
“The suspects are currently being investigated and profiled and I will ensure that due diligence is followed in their prosecution,” Odumosu assured.
The corps commandant advised FCT residents to dispose refuse through the appropriate waste management companies and stop patronising scavengers, popularly called “Baba Nbola” for the sake of safety.
He said that their detention was necessitated to nip vandalism and theft of public infrastructure such as manhole covers, streetlights, solar panels, armoured cables and other assets in the bud.
Odumosu said that the suspects roam the streets of the FCT, perpetrating all forms of criminal activities under the guise of scavenging.
