Blackout In North: NSA, Army, Air Force Provide Security For Engineers Working On Vandalised Shiroro Towers

The Nigerian government has announced that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) is now leading the coordination of efforts between the Nigerian Air Force in Kaduna and the Nigerian Army to monitor the 330kV Shiroro-Kaduna Lines 1 & 2, following the recent vandalism of power transmission towers.

Fushion Chronicles Nigeria reported that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had voiced concerns about security challenges obstructing repairs on critical transmission lines, which have led to power outages in parts of Northern Nigeria, particularly affecting areas in Kano and Kaduna states. The damage, which TCN’s Shiroro Regional Office confirmed on Friday, has caused significant blackouts.

During a public hearing held by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), TCN’s Executive Director of the Independent System Operator, Engineer Nafisatu Asabe Ali, clarified that a full resolution of the power outage would take time. She explained that while the alternative Ugwuaji-Apir line could provide some relief, it would only offer a limited solution. Though this line has a capacity of up to 750 megawatts (MW), only 350 MW can be safely transmitted to Kano, Kaduna, and parts of Niger Republic due to voltage stability issues in Kano.

Former Minister of Youths and Sports and current Special Adviser on Public Communications and Orientation, Sunday Dare, also commented on the joint security initiative, highlighting that the NSA’s office would provide security for TCN personnel working in the dense forest areas around Shiroro. Dare stated that with the faults located by TCN, the security cover would allow the team to close and restore Line L2 and begin repairs on the other line as soon as possible.

Sharing updates on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Dare wrote, “The Office of the NSA is coordinating the joint efforts of NAF – Kaduna HQ and the Army for the surveillance of the 330kV Shiroro-Kaduna Lines 1 & 2 concerning the vandalized towers. This includes security cover for TCN personnel working in the Shiroro forest.”

He added that TCN is nearing the completion of a temporary 400 MW power supply from the Ugwuaji-Apir line to provide relief to the affected northern regions as quickly as possible.