The Transmission Company of Nigeria has confirmed that five electricity transmission towers collapsed in Akwa Ibom State after vandals stripped key structural components from the facilities.
In a statement on Saturday, TCN said the incident occurred along the Ikot Abasi–Eket 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line. The damage was discovered on August 9, 2026, during a routine patrol by TCN engineers.
According to the company, critical support members were removed from Towers N9, J4, N10, N11 and N12, which caused the towers to collapse.
TCN added that further inspection revealed that parts had also been taken from seven other towers on the same route. Those affected are J3, N8, N13, N14, N15, N18 and N19. The company warned that the towers have been weakened and are at risk of collapse.
To limit the impact on supply, TCN said it had reconfigured the network with priority given to the Ekim Transmission Station. As a result, Ibom Power is currently the only station without supply.
The company said urgent repairs are ongoing to rebuild the damaged sections and restore normal electricity supply to affected areas.
Vandalism of power infrastructure has remained a major challenge to grid stability in the South-South, with TCN repeatedly calling for community vigilance and prosecution of offenders.
