…NSCDC, TCN collaborate to address threats to power installations in Jigawa
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced the construction of a turn-in-turn-out (TITO) connection along the 330kV Jos–Bauchi–Gombe transmission line.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mrs Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, the project was intended to connect the new Bauchi 330kV Transmission Substation to the national grid.
Mbah said construction began on June 10 and was expected to be completed by June 14.
She said during the construction period, the Gombe and Biu transmission substations would continue receiving power through the Dadin-Kowa Hydro Power Plant and the Maiduguri Substation, with additional support from the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP).
“As a result, there will be a temporary reduction in bulk electricity supply to the Jos and Yola Electricity Distribution Companies, affecting their customers in Bauchi, Gombe, Ashaka, Savannah, Damaturu/Potiskum, and Biu.
“However, only Yola and Jalingo are expected to experience full power outages during the five-day project duration,” Mbah said.
Construction needed to improve network’s flexibility, says TCN
Mbah also noted that a new transmission tower was being installed as part of the project to improve the network’s resilience and flexibility.
“The enhancement will enable the Bauchi and Gombe substations to function as mutual backups in case of maintenance or faults
“The Jos Substation will also gain the capability to supply the Bauchi Substation directly via a 132kV transmission line whenever the main 330kV connection through Gombe is unavailable.
“This arrangement enhances power reliability, diversifies transmission routes, and improves emergency response efficiency,” Mbah explained.
She reaffirmed TCN’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure to ensure a more stable and effective bulk power supply.
“The company appeals for the patience of affected consumers during this period and assures that normal electricity delivery will resume immediately after the project’s completion,” she added.
As a result of the TITO connection, TCN has notified electricity DisCos serving the six states in the North East that there will be blackout in the region while some places will witness significant drop in the supply of electricity.
A letter signed by TCN’s Regional Operations Manager, Bauchi Region, Engr J.O. Joseph, said the reduction in supply is due to the erection of 330kV Turn-In and Turn-Out towers at the new Bauchi 330kV Substation transmission lines.
The notice said the outage, which will start on June 10 and end on June 14, will affect the Jos-Bauchi-Gombe 132kV line.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), have strengthened collaboration to curb threats to power installations in Jigawa.
The NSCDC spokesman in Jigawa, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani, made this known on Wednesday in a statement issued in Dutse.
Tijjani said in line with the mandate of the Corps to safeguard Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), the NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Bala Bodinga, has facilitated a strategic collaboration between the command and TCN.
He said the synergy would adopt both scientific and kinetic approaches in addressing emerging threats of vandalism and other security challenges confronting national power installations in the state.
According to him, during a technical engagement held at the command headquarters in Dutse, Bodinga reiterated the Corps’ commitment to ensuring uninterrupted power supply by securing transmission lines, substations and related installations across the state.
Tijjani quoted the commandant saying that the protection of TCN infrastructure remains top national priority, as electricity remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth and national development.
“This partnership with TCN is strategic. It combines intelligence gathering, operational visibility and community-based surveillance with robust deployment of our personnel to flashpoints.
“Our Anti-Vandal Unit and Intelligence Departments are on high alert to proactively prevent any act of sabotage,” the commandant said.
According to him, the command has activated surveillance and monitoring mechanisms along TCN lines, and has increased patrol operations in vulnerable areas along Dutse, Birnin-Kudu, Hadejia, Gumel and Kazaure transmission corridors.
In his response, the TCN Senior Manager, Human Resource, in Jigawa, Mr Ahmad Abubakar, commended the proactive efforts of the NSCDC, noting that the collaboration will significantly reduce incidents of vandalism and facilitate timely reporting of threats to national grid components.
Abubakar reaffirmed the TCN’s readiness to provide technical support, intelligence-sharing platforms and joint field assessments
