Vandals collapse five transmission towers along Ikot Abasi–Eket 132kV Line
Vandals collapse five transmission towers along Ikot Abasi–Eket 132kV Line
By Onu Okorie
Five transmission towers along the Ikot Abasi–Eket 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line have collapsed following severe acts of vandalism, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced.
The damage was discovered on August 9, 2026, during a routine joint patrol of the transmission line by TCN linesmen.
According to TCN, a preliminary assessment showed that critical structural bracing members had been removed from several towers, including Towers N9, N10, N11, N12, N13 and N15. The removal of the structural components resulted in the collapse of five towers along the transmission corridor.
Further inspection revealed that structural members had also been removed and stolen from seven other towers on the same route. TCN said the affected towers have been left structurally compromised and could collapse if urgent action is not taken.
The company said it had reconfigured the network to mitigate the impact of the damage on electricity supply, with priority given to supply from Ibom Power.
TCN management is also mobilising an emergency intervention to reconstruct the damaged sections of the transmission line and restore the affected infrastructure.
Security agencies have been notified and are expected to assist with investigations into the vandalism and help prevent further attacks along the transmission route.
The company condemned the incident as an act of sabotage, stressing that such attacks threaten the stability and reliability of Nigeria’s electricity supply.
TCN reiterated its commitment to maintaining a robust and reliable national grid and urged for greater protection of critical electricity infrastructure.
