Five transmission towers collapse in A’Ibom after vandalism

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Five transmission towers along the Ikot Abasi-Eket 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line in Akwa Ibom State have collapsed following extensive vandalism, the Transmission Company of Nigeria has said.

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TCN said the damage was discovered on August 9, 2026, during a routine joint patrol of the transmission line by its linesmen.

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According to the company in a post shared on X on Friday, a preliminary assessment showed that critical structural bracing members had been removed from Towers N9, J4, N10, N11 and N12, causing the towers to collapse.

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“Preliminary assessment indicates that critical structural bracing members were removed from Towers N9, J4, N10, N11 and N12, resulting in the collapse of five towers,” TCN said in a statement signed by its management.

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The company said further inspection revealed that structural members had also been removed and stolen from seven other towers along the same transmission corridor.

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It identified the affected towers as J3, N8, N13, N14, N15, N18 and N19, warning that they had been structurally compromised and could collapse.

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“To mitigate the impact on electricity supply, the network has been reconfigured to prioritize supply to Ekim transmission station, leaving Ibom Power as the only station without supply,” TCN said.

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TCN said it was mobilising an urgent intervention to reconstruct the affected sections of the transmission line and restore the network to normal operation.

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The company added that security agencies had been notified to support investigations and prevent further vandalism along the transmission route.

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“We condemn this act of sabotage and reiterate our commitment to working hard to maintain a robust and reliable national grid,” the company said.

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TCN urged relevant stakeholders and security agencies to remain vigilant as efforts continue to protect critical electricity infrastructure and prevent further disruptions to power supply.

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