HARRISON EDEH

THE Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said it has lost five transmission towers along the Ikot Abasi – Eket 132kV Double Circuit as a result of severe acts of vandalism.

In a statement issued on  Friday, August 14, the General Manager, Public Affairs Unit, TCN, Ndidi Mbah said the extensive damage was discovered during a routine joint line patrol conducted on August 9, 2026, by TCN linesmen.

According to the statement, the preliminary assessment indicated that critical structural bracing members were removed from Towers N9, N10, N11, N12, N13, and N15, resulting in the collapse of the five towers.

The company said that further inspection revealed that structural members from seven additional towers along the same transmission corridor had also been removed and stolen. These towers are now structurally compromised and pose a risk of further collapse.

To mitigate the impact on electricity supply, TCN said the network has been reconfigured to prioritise supply from Ibom Power.

It also revealed that the Management is mobilising an urgent intervention to complete the reconstruction of the affected sections of the line. While calling on security agencies to aid, investigate, and prevent further acts of vandalism along the line route.

TCN condemned this act of sabotage and reiterated its commitment to working hard to maintain a robust and reliable national grid.

The AdvocateTimes reports that the transmission company recorded 131 incidents of vandalism in 2025 by hoodlums in various parts of the country, which has worsened the epileptic power supply.