Security Challenges Delay Power Restoration in Northern Nigeria, Says TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has explained the delay in restoring power to several major cities in Northern Nigeria after a recent outage.

In a statement on Sunday, TCN attributed the delay to ongoing security challenges in the region, which have obstructed necessary repairs. TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah stated that the company is working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to secure the area, allowing engineers to begin repairs.

Mbah highlighted that the vandalism of the Shiroro-Kaduna line has disrupted electricity supply to cities like Kaduna and Kano, but efforts are underway to repair the damaged infrastructure.

“TCN wants to affirm that it is working diligently to restore bulk power supply as quickly as possible despite current security challenges.

“The Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, which powers Northern Nigeria, was vandalized by insurgents. In response, TCN has partnered with the National Security Adviser’s office to secure the area, enabling engineers to work safely on the restoration,” the statement read.

The statement also noted that TCN’s Executive Director (Independent System Operator), Engr. (Mrs) Nafisatu Ali, emphasized that deploying engineers without security support is not feasible due to regional risks.

However, she reassured the public that the restoration would not be indefinite, stressing that TCN is working round the clock to restore power.

The recent outage affecting Northern states is due to vandalism of the Shiroro-Mando transmission line, a critical infrastructure for electricity in the region. Prevailing insecurity has delayed immediate repairs necessary for restoring supply.

As a temporary solution, TCN rerouted bulk power through the Ugwuaji-Apir 330kV line, which recently snapped. TCN has been working closely with the National Security Adviser’s office to ensure engineers can safely access the vandalized site for repairs, which is crucial for protecting lives during the process,” the statement concluded.