Vandalism Causes Collapse of Five TCN Towers in Akwa Ibom

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced the destruction of five transmission towers along the Ikot Abasi-Eket 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line in Akwa Ibom State, attributed to vandalism. This extensive damage was discovered during a routine patrol on August 9, 2026.

TCN reported that critical structural bracing members were removed from Towers N9, J4, N10, N11, and N12, leading to their collapse. Further inspections revealed that structural members from seven additional towers (J3, N8, N13, N14, N15, N18, and N19) had also been stolen, compromising their structural integrity and raising concerns about the reliability of electricity transmission in the area.

In response, TCN has reconfigured the network to prioritize supply to the Ekim transmission station, while mobilizing efforts to reconstruct the damaged sections and notifying security agencies to investigate the incident. TCN condemned the vandalism as sabotage and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a reliable national grid.