The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised concerns over another major attack on electricity infrastructure after five transmission towers were brought down along the Ikot Abasi-Eket 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line in Akwa Ibom State.
TCN disclosed the incident in a statement, explaining that the damage was discovered on August 9, 2026, during a routine inspection of the transmission corridor by its technical staff.
According to the company, the affected towers collapsed after vandals removed important steel components that help keep the structures stable. The damaged towers are identified as N9, J4, N10, N11 and N12.
The company said its initial investigation showed that the structural bracing members had been deliberately removed and stolen. Without these components, the towers became too weak to withstand normal pressure, eventually leading to their collapse.
TCN also discovered that the problem was larger than initially suspected. Structural components had reportedly been removed from seven other towers along the same route. The affected structures include J3, N8, N13, N14, N15, N18 and N19.
Although the seven towers have not collapsed, TCN said they have been seriously weakened and could also fall if urgent action is not taken.
The incident has created another challenge for Nigeria’s electricity transmission system, which continues to face threats from the theft and destruction of critical infrastructure.
TCN said it had already taken steps to reduce the effect of the damage on electricity consumers in the affected area. The transmission network was reconfigured to prioritise electricity supply to the Ekim Transmission Station.
However, Ibom Power was left without supply as a result of the temporary network arrangement.
The company said it was mobilising resources for an urgent reconstruction of the damaged sections of the transmission line. TCN also informed security agencies about the incident to support investigations and help prevent further attacks.
The latest vandalism comes as Nigeria continues to struggle with the impact of damaged power infrastructure on electricity reliability. Transmission towers and other equipment are essential for moving electricity from generating plants to distribution networks. Damage to these facilities can therefore affect homes, businesses and industries that depend on regular power supply.
TCN described the incident as an act of sabotage and warned that such attacks undermine efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national grid.
The company has repeatedly called for greater protection of electricity infrastructure, particularly in areas where transmission lines pass through isolated locations that can be difficult to monitor.
The latest development is also similar to another recent incident involving the Yola-Jalingo 330kV Transmission Line. TCN recently announced the arrest of a suspected key participant in the vandalism of six towers along that route, with some of the stolen components recovered.
The company said it would continue working with security agencies to identify those responsible and prevent further attacks.
For Nigeria, the growing incidents of infrastructure vandalism remain both a security and economic concern. Beyond the cost of replacing damaged equipment, prolonged outages can disrupt businesses, increase operating costs and weaken confidence in the country’s electricity system.
