Residents of parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, are grappling with a significant power outage following the vandalization of critical infrastructure at the 132-kilovolt Katampe-Central Area Transmission Station Lines 1 & 2, according to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
The power outage incident, reported on Wednesday, has left thousands of households and businesses in the dark, underscoring the persistent challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector.
The AEDC disclosed that unidentified vandals stole conductors—essential components of the high-voltage transmission lines—disrupting the flow of electricity to key areas of the capital.
The vandalization, which occurred on the 132-kilovolt lines, has severed a vital link in the power distribution network, impacting regions served by the Katampe and Central Area transmission stations.
The company is working to assess the full extent of the damage and restore power, but no specific timeline for restoration has been provided.
“This is a deliberate and criminal act that jeopardizes the stability of our power supply and the safety of our infrastructure,” said an AEDC spokesperson in a statement.
“We urge the public to report any suspicious activities around power installations to security agencies to prevent further incidents.”
The power outage incident adds to a growing list of challenges plaguing Nigeria’s electricity sector, where vandalism and theft of power infrastructure have become a recurring issue.
According to a recent report by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), similar acts of vandalism have led to the loss of approximately 250 megawatts of power in other regions, costing the sector billions of naira annually in repairs and lost revenue.
A 2024 Nextier research report highlighted that insecurity and vandalization of power infrastructure are major contributors to the frequent power outages, high cost and scarcity of electricity across the country, particularly in off-grid and rural areas.
The 132-kilovolt transmission lines, as described in technical analyses, are high-voltage systems designed to minimize power outages over long distances, playing a critical role in connecting generation stations to distribution substations.
The Katampe-Central Area lines are part of this backbone, supplying electricity to densely populated and commercial areas of Abuja.
Their disruption not only affects immediate power availability but also strains the national grid, which already struggles with capacity and reliability issues.
Security experts and energy analysts have called for urgent action to safeguard Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
“Vandalism of transmission lines is not just a technical problem; it’s an economic and security crisis,” said Dr. Folake Aletan, a program manager at Nextier. “We need robust surveillance, community engagement, and stricter penalties to deter these acts.”
The Nigerian government and TCN have previously launched initiatives to protect power assets, including the deployment of security personnel and advanced monitoring systems.
However, the persistence of vandalism suggests these measures have yet to yield significant results.
In January 2025, Abuja experienced a two-week power outage in several districts due to maintenance and prior infrastructure issues, further compounding public discontent.
Civil society groups and residents are now urging authorities to expedite repairs and enhance security measures around power installations.
The Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, which recently advocated for action on other national issues, indirectly echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for stability and security in critical sectors like energy.
As investigations into the vandalism continue, the AEDC has appealed to the public for patience and cooperation while restoration efforts are underway.
Meanwhile, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address both technical and security challenges in the sector.
For updates on the power outage, restoration and further developments, residents are encouraged to follow official AEDC communications and report any suspicious activities to local authorities or the company’s hotline.
