Power Outage Hits Abuja as Vandals Destroy 132KV Transmission Cables

A major power outage has affected parts of Abuja after vandals attacked critical underground transmission cables supplying electricity to the city. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed the incident on Friday, stating that the vandalism disrupted its 132-kilovolt (KV) transmission line, leading to blackouts in the Central Area and surrounding neighborhoods.

According to TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the attack occurred in the early hours of Friday near Millennium Park. The damaged cables are crucial for transmitting bulk electricity to TCN’s 132KV Central Area transmission substation, which supplies power to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for onward distribution to customers.

The vandalism has cut off over 60 percent of the power supply to affected areas, including Maitama, Wuse, Jabi, Life Camp, Asokoro, Utako, Mabushi, and parts of the Presidential Villa. The vandals reportedly stole 40 meters of 1×500 millimeters (MM) XLPE conductors from two 132KV transmission lines.

TCN has deployed engineers to the site to repair the damage and restore power. The company urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies to prevent further attacks on power infrastructure. Mbah emphasized the importance of protecting transmission assets, highlighting their role in ensuring a stable electricity supply for the city.