Boko Haram terrorists have plunged Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, into darkness again after blowing up a power tower on Saturday, barely three days after electricity was restored in the North-East city.
The insurgents planted explosives on each leg of the tower along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road which detonated at about 6 am, according to sources in the town.
The terrorists had in January struck power installations thrice to keep the city in the dark.
It took the power authorities almost two months to repair the damage inflicted in January as the insurgents laid land mines, which injured officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) when repairs commenced.
Repairs had to progress under heavy military escort, as residents and business owners turned to alternative means to generate electricity.
Residents of the city expressed happiness last Wednesday in a video that circulated on social media after electricity from the national grid was restored.
A worker of the TCN, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the destruction of the power tower, lamenting that the efforts expended in restoring electricity in the city had gone to waste.
He said: ”It is unfortunate that all the capital and human resources wasted in the restoration of power to Maiduguri and its environs have been in vein as we discovered that insurgents have destroyed another transmission towers along Maiduguri- Damaturu road.
“It took us seven weeks to restore power back last Wednesday, and now we are back to square one.”
A security/official report confirming the development was obtained by the Vanguard.
”Good day Sir, At about 5:55 am of Saturday, 27th March 2021, The Celebrated return of Power to Maiduguri and its environs abruptly came to a halt because our investigation revealed that the Power transmission line along Maiduguri-Damaturu Road was once again been attacked by suspected Book Haram Terrorists (BHT).
“The exact location, as well as the extent and nature of the damage, is yet to be ascertained as Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Engineers are yet to get security escort to go round the locations.
“You may recall our previous submission of 24th march 2021 on the return of Electricity Power to Maiduguri. ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS/TAKEN: While we continue to patrol the vulnerable areas within the State Capital, There’s a need to look into the need for a special Squad considering the nature of the Terrain where these Power Installations are.
“Use of technology especially drones in these areas are paramount. Also, The wide reportage and celebrations that welcomed the return of the light on 24th march 2021 might have provoked this attack.
“Although we cannot stop the populace from expressing their joy, There’s need to put security measures in place next time to mitigate this kind of attack,” the report read.
