The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced the collapse of five transmission towers along the Ikot Abasi–Eket 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line following severe acts of vandalism.
TCN disclosed this in a statement signed by its Management on Friday, August 14, 2026, noting that the extensive damage was discovered during a routine joint patrol of the transmission line by its linesmen on August 9.
According to the company, preliminary assessment showed that critical structural bracing members had been removed from Towers N9, J4, N10, N11 and N12, resulting in their collapse.
Further inspection revealed 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 consequently been rendered structurally compromised and are at risk of further collapse.
TCN said it had reconfigured the network to mitigate the impact of the incident on electricity supply, prioritising supply to Ekim Transmission Station, while Ibom Power remains the only station currently without supply.
The company said its management was mobilising an urgent intervention to reconstruct the affected sections of the transmission line.
It added that security agencies had been notified to support investigations and prevent further acts of vandalism along the line route.
TCN condemned the incident as an act of sabotage and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a robust and reliable national electricity grid.
