The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed that its 330,132kV transmission substation at Molai in Maiduguri in Borno State in northern was attacked by insurgents on May 7.
Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, said on Thursday in Abuja the two post isolators porcelain units in the substation were affected.
She said the cracks on the affected transmission equipment was, however, not too deep as to affect supply to the substation.
According to Mbah, the insurgents made away with one Hilux van, while two Hilux vans and one vehicle belonging to a staff of the TCN were destroyed by the insurgents.
Mbah listed other items destroyed to include a truck, computer, monitor and printer in the transmission control room.
She said the windows of the control room and staff house were also shattered by gun shots.
“The operator on duty did exceptionally well by opening the transmission lines from the substation and shutting down the station before quickly leaving the substation just before the insurgents reached the substation.
“After the incident, TCN engineers did a thorough check of the substation equipment before restoration of supply on May 8.
“TCN commends the efforts of security operatives, who have continued to make it possible for its operators to run the substation, and appealed for the deployment of additional security personnel to the area,’’ she said.
Mbah said the deployment of more security personnel would further boost the morale of workers, who had been unrelenting in ensuring that electricity supply was sustained in Maiduguri and its environs despite the risks.
She said the 330,132,33kV Molai substation was completed and energised on October 25, 2018, but also formally inaugurated on February 13 this year.
MM/GIK/APA