Residents of Abuja have been thrown into darkness after suspected bandits vandalised the 132kV transmission line and underground cables around the Millenium Park axis.

TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah disclosed in a statement on Friday that over 60 per cent of the power supply to Abuja was affected.

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that its 132kV transmission line and underground cables taking power to Central Area and environs in Abuja have been vandalised, causing power outage.

“The vandalised 132kV underground cable transports bulk electricity to TCN’s 132kV Central Area Transmission Substation, which then supplies power through 8No. distribution feeders to AEDC for onward supply to its customers in Central Area and environs,” the company said.

The TCN said the vandals “carted away 40 metres of 1x500mm² XLPE conductors on the 2 numbers 132kV transmission lines.”

The company said areas affected by the outage included Maitama, Wuse, Jabi, Life Camp, Asokoro, Utako, Mabushi, and parts of the Presidential Villa.

However, it said engineers have been mobilised to the site of the incident to repair the vandalised cables.

TCN urged Nigerians to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to security operatives to protect transmission equipment and installations.