The Federal Government has spent a sum of N9 billion to restore the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna transmission line, which was destroyed by terrorists in November 2024, plunging 17 northern states into darkness for two weeks.
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, revealed this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, saying that despite the huge expenditure, repairs remain incomplete due to continued attacks by bandits targeting power infrastructure.
“It costs the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) over N9 billion to bring back the transmission towers and lines destroyed by terrorists on the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna line.
“The destruction threw a significant portion of northern Nigeria into darkness last year. Up till now, repairs are yet to be completed due to the activities of bandits, who have continued to stall efforts,” Adelabu stated.
The minister’s revelation comes amid controversy over the N8 billion earmarked for power infrastructure security in the 2025 budget.
Clarifying what he described as misconceptions, Adelabu explained that the sum is meant for advocacy, education, and technological measures to safeguard power assets and not for sensitization on electricity bill payments, as some reports have claimed.
He stressed that protecting Nigeria’s power infrastructure is now a national priority, urging citizens to take ownership of public assets to prevent further damage, repeated blackouts, and the massive financial burden of repairs.
The Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna transmission line is a critical power corridor supplying electricity to large parts of northern Nigeria. The destruction of the line in November 2024 led to a crisis, forcing authorities to rely on an alternative supply route, which was also vandalized before eventually being restored.
With power facilities increasingly targeted by criminal elements, Adelabu warned that unless security measures are enhanced, Nigeria’s electricity grid will continue to face disruptions, affecting both economic activities and daily life for millions of citizens.