Power Disruption Hits Akwa Ibom as Vandals Bring Down Major Transmission Tower

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed the collapse of an electricity transmission tower in Ete Community, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, following a fresh case of vandalism.

TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, revealing that Tower T35 along the Eket–Ikot Abasi 132kV Transmission Line came down on October 12, 2025, after vandals dismantled and carted away several tower components.

According to Mbah, a TCN inspection team from the Lines Department visited the site and found numerous dismantled parts of the tower scattered on the ground. Further checks also showed that additional components had been stolen and that three other towers — T7, T33, and T34 — were also tampered with.

She explained that the incident led to a temporary disruption of bulk power supply through the Eket and Ekim 132/33kV Transmission Substations and the Ibom Power Station. As a result, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company is currently unable to receive and distribute electricity to customers in Eket and Ekim towns.

Mbah assured that TCN has begun mobilising resources to rebuild and restore the damaged infrastructure, stressing that the company remains committed to restoring power supply as soon as possible.

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria has commenced immediate mobilisation to facilitate the reconstruction and restoration of the collapsed tower and transmission line,” she said, urging residents to report suspicious movements around power installations to authorities.

TCN also reiterated that vandalism remains a major threat to the stability of the national grid and called on host communities to actively participate in protecting power infrastructure. “The fight against vandalism of transmission facilities is a collective responsibility. We appeal to all stakeholders to help safeguard these critical national assets,” Mbah added.

Recent figures from TCN show that the Federal Government has spent about ₦88 billion repairing vandalised power transmission infrastructure nationwide between 2021 and 2025, including ₦8.8 billion in 2024 alone.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has urged the National Assembly to introduce stiffer penalties for vandalism, noting that stronger laws are needed to deter future attacks on the country’s electricity infrastructure.