The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed that certain areas of the Presidential Villa and approximately 60 percent of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are currently experiencing power outages due to the theft of a 132-kilovolt underground cable.
This cable is responsible for transporting substantial quantities of electricity to the 132kV Central Area Transmission Substation. This information was communicated in a statement issued by TCN’s spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, on Friday.
The vandalism incident occurred in the vicinity of Millennium Park in Abuja.
TCN reported that the thieves removed 40 meters of 1 × 500 mm² XLPE conductors from two 132 kV transmission lines.
The affected 132kV underground cable plays a crucial role in delivering bulk electricity to TCN’s 132kV Central Area Transmission Substation, which subsequently distributes power through eight feeders to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for distribution to customers in the Central Area and surrounding regions.
As a result of this incident, over 60 percent of the power supply to Abuja has been disrupted, affecting several areas within the Federal Capital Territory. Notable locations impacted include Maitama, Wuse, Jabi, Life Camp, Asokoro, Utako, and Mabushi, as well as portions of the Presidential Villa.
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) previously attributed recent power outages in Abuja to malfunctions in the 132-kilovolt lines spanning from Katampe to the AT5 Central Area Transmission Station. TCN has mobilized engineers to the site to address the damages and restore service.