The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of professionalism in its communication strategies, a failure that has had severe implications for the security of critical national infrastructure and their staff....Don’t Miss Out! CLICK HERE TO KEEP READING> >>
Recent patterns reveal that the company’s unguarded announcements about the restoration or operation of vital facilities inadvertently provide terrorists with actionable intelligence, making it easier for them to plan and execute attacks.
For example, restoration of any transmission line is often broadcasted publicly, disregarding the security challenges or implications. By announcing this progress, TCN effectively highlighted the strategic importance of the infrastructure, unintentionally alerting terrorist groups such as Bandits or Boko Haram to its operational status.
This is particularly concerning in light of history of targeting and destroying power facilities, not just to disrupt services but also to assert dominance and instill fear in affected communities.
This pattern is not new. Across the country, TCN’s public declarations have frequently provided adversaries with the information necessary to disrupt services and damage critical infrastructure.
These announcements often include details about restoration timelines, repairs, and the significance of the facilities in question, which serve as a roadmap for those seeking to sabotage national progress.
What is most troubling is the apparent failure of TCN to learn from past mistakes. Communication handlers within the company seem to lack crisis communication expertise, a critical skill in conflict zones where discretion can make the difference between safeguarding infrastructure and exposing it to attacks.
The absence of a security-conscious communication strategy reflects a disregard for the safety of the facilities, the personnel who maintain them, and the communities that rely on their services.
The consequences of this unprofessional approach are far reaching as public announcements make it easy for terrorist groups to identify and prioritize high value targets. Damaged infrastructure leads to prolonged outages, affecting businesses and livelihoods.
The repeated loss of critical infrastructure due to predictable communication failures erodes public confidence in the TCN’s ability to protect its assets.
Highlighting the importance of infrastructure inadvertently elevates its status as a target, making future attacks more likely.
Zagazola Makama therefore advised TCN urgently rethink its approach to communication. A balance must be struck between keeping the public informed and safeguarding sensitive information. This can be achieved through restricting Information Sharing and publicizing sensitive operational details in high-risk areas.
Coordination with Security Agencies is very important to ensure that announcements are vetted to avoid compromising national security.
In conclusion, TCN’s current communication practices are not just a public relations misstep but a national security liability.
The company must adopt a more discreet and professional approach to protect its infrastructure and the millions of Nigerians who depend on it…Don’t Miss Out! CLICK HERE TO KEEP READING> >>
