In a bid to thwart the escalating incidents of vandalism plaguing its franchise area, Kaduna Electric has expressed profound concern over the growing rate of sabotage on its electrical installations.
Despite the arduous nature of the situation, the company is unwavering in its commitment to combat this menace. The Chief Technical Officer, Engr Lawal Aliyu Mashi, disclosed in a statement that between July and September of this year, a staggering 172 cases of vandalism were reported across the four franchise states, amounting to a disheartening loss of N138,056,343 worth of equipment.
The aftermath of these pernicious acts has been deeply felt, with incidents such as the theft of earthing cable at the Abakpa Injection Substation in Kaduna and the pilfering of 500MM2 neutral incomer cables at Katuru Village in Badarawa, Kaduna. In another distressing development, a community was disconnected from the power supply due to payment default, leading to widespread vandalism of various electrical components.
The extent of the vandalism was further highlighted in Gusau, Zamfara State, where 12 spans of 150mm aluminium conductor were plundered, and the 300KVA FECT 2 substation fell victim to theft of 300mm2 single-core cable.
In response to this critical issue, Kaduna Electric’s Chief Security Officer, Col Ubale Abubakar, divulged that the company has intensified collaborations with security agencies, including the military, police, and civil defence corps, to apprehend and prosecute the culprits.
Furthermore, the company has embarked on proactive engagement with local authorities, imploring Divisional Police Officers, officials from the Criminal Investigation Department, State Investigation Bureau, and military leaders to bolster vigilance and awareness regarding the adverse effects of vandalism on its operations.
Finally, Col Ubale urged the public to promptly report any suspicious activities around electrical infrastructure to Kaduna Electric offices or security agencies, emphasizing the collective responsibility in preserving critical electrical infrastructure.
