ABUJA — Five transmission towers have collapsed along the Ikot Abasi–Eket 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line in Akwa Ibom State following what the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) described as severe vandalism.
The extensive damage was discovered during a routine joint patrol of the transmission line by TCN linesmen on August 9, 2026, according to a statement issued by the company’s management on Friday.
Preliminary assessment showed that critical structural bracing members had been removed from Towers N9, J4, N10, N11 and N12, causing the five towers to collapse.
Further inspection found that structural members had also been removed and stolen from seven additional towers along the same transmission corridor.
The affected towers — J3, N8, N13, N14, N15, N18 and N19 — have been left structurally compromised and could also collapse, TCN said.
The development has affected the transmission network serving the area, prompting TCN to reconfigure the network to prioritise electricity supply to Ekim Transmission Station.
The company said Ibom Power is currently the only station left without supply under the temporary network arrangement.
TCN mobilises for reconstruction
TCN said its management was mobilising an urgent intervention to reconstruct the affected sections of the transmission line and restore the network to normal operation.
Security agencies have also been notified to support investigations into the vandalism and help prevent further attacks along the transmission corridor.
The company condemned the incident as an act of sabotage and reiterated its commitment to maintaining a reliable national electricity grid.
The collapse comes amid persistent concerns over vandalism of electricity infrastructure, which can disrupt power transmission and distribution while increasing the cost and difficulty of maintaining Nigeria’s power network.
TCN urged continued vigilance around transmission infrastructure as efforts begin to reconstruct the damaged sections.
Source: Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), statement signed by Management, August 14, 2026.
