Saturday, 18 January 2025 04:44

Vandals plunge Nigeria’s seat of power into darkness

Rate this item
(0 votes)

In a spectacle befitting a nation where irony is never in short supply, the Presidential Villa in Abuja, home to the country’s highest office, has been thrown into darkness following the theft of electricity cables supplying power to the area.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed on Friday that vandals had made off with 40 meters of 1x500mm² XLPE conductors from a 132kV underground transmission line near Millennium Park, just a stone’s throw from the very heart of Nigeria’s power structure. The affected line supplies electricity to the 132kV Central Area transmission substation, which distributes power to central parts of Abuja, including the Presidential Villa.

TCN’s General Manager, Ndidi Mba, noted that the brazen act disrupted power in Maitama, Wuse, Jabi, Lifecamp, Asokoro, Utako, Mabushi, and portions of the Villa itself. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, also chimed in with a statement decrying the rising tide of cable thefts but offered little consolation to those left fumbling for their flashlights.

The Presidential Villa, often hailed as the seat of power, now finds itself quite literally powerless—an ironic twist in a country where symbolism often outweighs substance. One would think that securing the nation’s corridors of influence might extend to safeguarding the cables keeping the lights on. But alas, even Aso Rock is not immune to the scourge of infrastructure vandalism.

Engineers have reportedly been dispatched to repair the damage, though it remains to be seen whether the response will be as swift as the vandals’ handiwork.

Meanwhile, Abuja residents, including those within earshot of presidential decision-making, are left pondering whether the real blackout is in the cables or the leadership itself.

June 24, 2025

Oil prices fall to over one-week lows as Trump announces Israel-Iran ceasefire

Oil prices tumbled on Tuesday to their lowest level in more than a week as…
June 25, 2025

Tinubu’s controversial biography reignites as Atiku disputes claim of Belarusian ‘schoolmate’

President Bola Tinubu’s already controversial academic record has come under renewed scrutiny following his recent…
June 23, 2025

The reason even successful people struggle to get out of bed some days

Sometimes after a long, productive day, I only have the energy to scroll on social…
June 21, 2025

Man convicted of posing as flight attendant to fly for free 120 times

A 35-year-old American man has been found guilty of impersonating a flight attendant at least…
June 25, 2025

Over 40 security operatives killed by bandits in Zamfara, Daily Trust reports

One of Nigeria’s most notorious bandit kingpins, Kachalla Bello Turji, reportedly killed more than 40…
June 25, 2025

Israel Vs Iran: Here’s what to know after Day 12

Fragile ceasefire holding, Trump envoy says peace talks with Iran 'promising' The ceasefire brokered by…
June 25, 2025

Tesla robotaxi launch: Why getting from dozens to millions of self-driving cars won't be easy

Tesla (TSLA.O) finally has a robotaxi. Now comes the hard part. The electric-vehicle maker deployed…
May 13, 2025

Nigeria's Flying Eagles qualify for World Cup after dramatic win over Senegal

Nigeria's U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, have secured their place at the 2025…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.