The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has reported that around 6,000 transformers were vandalized across Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina states during the recent four-day nationwide blackout. This devastating loss has significantly disrupted power supply in these regions, with KEDCO urging residents and communities to step in and help address the growing issue of transformer theft and vandalism.
The shocking news was revealed by Mr. Auwal Yusha’u, the Regional Manager of Katsina North, during a town-hall meeting with local stakeholders in Katsina on Wednesday. According to Mr. Yusha’u, the situation has become too severe for KEDCO to handle alone, with entire transformers being stolen and even transformer oil and cables being taken in some areas.
Speaking on the gravity of the situation, Mr. Yusha’u said: “This situation is beyond KEDCO’s capacity to resolve alone.” He explained that during the four-day nationwide power blackout, KEDCO lost billions of naira due to the widespread damage caused by vandalism. The thefts have left large parts of the affected states without electricity and have further strained KEDCO’s already stretched resources.
In a striking revelation, Mr. Yusha’u said: “In some locations, entire transformers were stolen by criminals. Even here in Katsina, a transformer was taken.” He highlighted the critical nature of this issue, adding, “The reality is that, without functional transformers, KEDCO cannot provide electricity to customers.”
The theft of transformers and essential electrical equipment has caused long-term outages and severely impacted the company’s ability to deliver consistent power supply to millions of residents in the region.
Mr. Yusha’u urged communities to take an active role in protecting electrical infrastructure. He suggested that residents form committees to monitor suspicious activities around transformers in their neighbourhoods. The Regional Manager highlighted the importance of local involvement, saying: “We need the support of all stakeholders to address this problem.”
Furthermore, he advised customers to report any issues with transformers or electricity supply directly to KEDCO’s nearest office, rather than relying on unqualified individuals who may make matters worse. By doing so, customers would help prevent further vandalism and ensure that repairs are carried out by qualified professionals.
The destruction and theft of transformers have placed a tremendous strain on KEDCO’s operations. Mr. Yusha’u detailed the ongoing challenges faced by the company, stating that, in Katsina North alone, KEDCO manages 14 feeders and five substations. He also mentioned that there are two substations without controllers, which complicates the management of the power distribution network.
“We have 50,119 registered customers in this zone. We bill N425 million monthly, but we collect only N152 million. Just imagine the gap between the amount billed and what we actually collect every month,” Mr. Yusha’u said with visible concern.
Despite these challenges, Mr. Yusha’u acknowledged the efforts of the 32,591 “willing payers” in the region, noting that they consistently pay their bills. However, the collection rate of just 35 per cent of the billed amount has put considerable pressure on the company’s finances.
The recent blackout, which lasted for four days, saw a substantial financial loss for the company, further highlighting the gravity of the situation. Mr. Yusha’u said: “During the four-day blackout, KEDCO lost billions of naira, and our transformers were heavily vandalised.” This loss has not only impacted KEDCO’s revenue but has also disrupted the daily lives of residents in the affected states.
Vandalism of transformers and power lines is a growing problem in Nigeria, particularly in the northern regions. Criminals often target electrical infrastructure for the valuable materials contained within, such as copper wires, transformer oil, and other metals. The theft of these materials is driven by their high resale value in black markets.
This issue has become so widespread that it has been identified as one of the leading causes of power outages in the country. According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), theft and vandalism of electrical equipment account for a significant portion of the country’s power losses. The problem is compounded by a lack of adequate security around key power installations and a general sense of impunity among the perpetrators.
