Minister Launches Committee to Combat Power Infrastructure Vandalism

In response to ongoing attacks on Nigeria’s power infrastructure, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has established a ministerial committee aimed at preventing vandalism that disrupts electricity supply. This initiative comes as the government grapples with the financial burden of repairing damaged installations, which has cost billions of naira.

The newly formed committee will include security agencies and stakeholders from the electricity sector. Its primary task is to devise a coordinated strategy to protect generation, transmission, and distribution assets from vandals, focusing on legal enforcement, technological solutions, and public awareness campaigns.

The ministry emphasized that the committee's formation is part of broader efforts to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply for homes and businesses. The statement outlined the challenges posed by repeated attacks, which not only disrupt service but also inflate repair costs, undermining necessary investments in the sector.

Tegbe convened the committee following a series of attacks that have targeted critical electricity infrastructure. "This is a response to the ongoing threats against our fragile electricity network," the ministry stated, highlighting the urgent need for collective action.

The inaugural meeting included key figures such as Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa, the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, and officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Together, they discussed measures to prevent future vandalism and delineated the responsibilities of various institutions involved.

Participants agreed to enforce existing anti-vandalism laws, prosecute offenders, and deploy technology to safeguard national assets. They also committed to intensifying sensitization efforts to deter potential vandals.

The committee is set to reconvene next week to evaluate progress and monitor the implementation of proposed measures. The ministry expressed optimism that effective collaboration would lead to fewer infrastructure-related outages and a more dependable electricity supply.

The ongoing issue of vandalism has raised significant concerns about the sustainability of Nigeria’s electricity delivery system. In the first half of 2025 alone, the Transmission Company of Nigeria reported 42 incidents affecting 178 transmission towers nationwide.

Past officials have noted that substantial funds have been diverted to restore vandalized infrastructure, with over N9 billion spent in 2024 alone in northern Nigeria. Such financial strains hinder the expansion and improvement of the transmission network.

The latest initiative underscores the importance of cooperation between security forces and the power sector, moving beyond reactive measures to a more proactive stance. The ministry is confident that these efforts will help protect investments and enhance service reliability for consumers.