A transmission tower in Ete Community, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has collapsed following an act of vandalism, the Transmission Company of Nigeria announced on Wednesday.
In a statement issued by the TCN’s spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, the tower identified as T35 along the Eket–Ikot Abasi 132 kV Transmission Line fell on October 12, 2025, due to deliberate tampering by vandals.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby states that Tower T35 along the Eket–Ikot Abasi 132 kV Transmission Line collapsed on October 12, 2025, as a result of vandalism,” Mbah stated.
According to her, a TCN inspection team from the Lines Department visited the site in Ete Community and discovered several dismantled tower components scattered on the ground. Further examination revealed that some parts of the tower had been removed and carted away by unknown individuals.
“A closer investigation revealed that additional tower members had been removed from the fallen tower and carted away. The team also observed that Towers T7, T33, and T34 had been tampered with,” she added.
As a result of the incident, there has been a temporary disruption in the supply of bulk electricity through the Eket and Ekim 132/33 kV Transmission Substations, as well as from the Ibom Power Station.
“As a result, there is a temporary disruption of bulk power supply through the Eket and Ekim 132/33 kV Transmission Substations, as well as the Ibom Power Station. Consequently, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company will be unable to off-take power from these substations for onwards distribution to its customers in Eket and Ekim towns,” Mbah explained.
She also confirmed that the TCN had begun mobilising materials and personnel to commence the reconstruction and restoration of the affected infrastructure.
TCN used the opportunity to reiterate the dangers posed by acts of vandalism, calling on host communities to be more vigilant and report suspicious activity around power infrastructure.
“We reiterate that vandalism poses a serious threat to the stability of the nation’s transmission system and urge host communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around transmission installations to security operatives or the nearest TCN office. The fight against the vandalism of power infrastructure is a collective responsibility. We call on all stakeholders to join hands in protecting these critical national assets from further attacks,” she said.
According to recent disclosures, the TCN stated that the Federal Government had spent N88 billion on repairs and restoration of vandalised transmission infrastructure between 2021 and 2025. Of that amount, N8.8 billion was spent in 2024 alone.
In a related development, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has urged the National Assembly to enact stricter legislation to increase penalties for those found guilty of vandalising national power infrastructure.
