KEY POINTS
- TCN demolished houses and shops encroaching on 330kV transmission corridor in Kudenda
- Kaduna Company says affected persons were compensated in 2021 but failed to vacate right-of-way
- Move comes amid rising vandalism and past tower collapse threatening power transmission
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has demolished residential and commercial structures encroaching on the corridor of a 330kV transmission line in the Kudenda area of Kaduna State, as part of efforts to protect critical power infrastructure.
The exercise was carried out along the Kudenda axis of the Mando–Mando 330kV Double Circuit Transmission Line. The operation involved officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria working in collaboration with the Kaduna State Urban and Regional Planning Agency and security agencies.
The development was disclosed in a statement released on the company’s official X handle, where TCN explained that the demolition was necessary to enforce compliance with statutory right-of-way requirements and safeguard the national grid.
According to the company, the demolition targeted illegal residential and commercial buildings constructed within the designated right-of-way for the proposed Kudenda–Mando double circuit transmission line. The structures were considered encroachments that posed risks to the safe and efficient transmission of electricity.
TCN said the enforcement exercise followed a verification process to ensure that all legal obligations were met before the demolition. The company added that securing the corridor was essential for protecting infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted bulk power transmission.
The statement noted that the demolition exercise was conducted jointly with KASUPDA and supported by security personnel to maintain order during the operation. The action, TCN said, forms part of broader measures to preserve the integrity of the national transmission network.
The company also stated that project affected persons within the corridor had been compensated in 2021 but failed to vacate the designated right-of-way. It explained that the demolition became necessary after occupants continued to remain in the area despite compensation and regulatory notices.
Previous tower collapse raises infrastructure concerns
The enforcement comes amid growing concerns about the vulnerability of transmission infrastructure in Kaduna and other parts of the country. Last year, the Transmission Company of Nigeria confirmed the collapse of a major transmission tower in Kaduna State.
The affected structure, identified as Tower No. 7 along the Kaduna Town Line I and II in Rigasa Community, collapsed on September 18 following a severe downpour accompanied by strong wind gusts. The incident disrupted bulk power transmission to several Kaduna Electric distribution load centres, particularly in parts of Kaduna South.
The disruption resulted in partial outages across affected communities and forced the company to initiate emergency restoration measures. TCN had at the time attributed the collapse to a combination of severe weather conditions and vandalism.
TCN has repeatedly raised concerns about vandalism targeting transmission infrastructure nationwide. The company recently reported that Tower T99 along the Ughelli–Benin 330kV transmission line collapsed on March 15, 2026, following acts of vandalism.
The damaged structure was discovered during a routine patrol at Coconut Village in Effurun Local Government Area of Warri, Delta State, after a line trip. The incident added to growing cases of sabotage affecting power transmission reliability.
The company also reported a surge in vandalism incidents in 2025, with more than 18 transmission towers targeted within a short period between January 9 and 14 across Rivers, Abia, and Kano states. These attacks significantly disrupted transmission operations and affected electricity supply.
The demolition of structures along the Kaduna transmission corridor is therefore seen as part of ongoing efforts to secure transmission infrastructure, reduce operational risks, and ensure safe delivery of bulk electricity across the grid.
