Vandalism: Five TCN Towers Collapse Along Ikot Abasi-Eket Line

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported the collapse of five transmission towers along the Ikot Abasi-Eket 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line. The incident occurred after vandals removed and stole critical structural components, leading to extensive damage.

During a routine patrol, TCN linesmen discovered that bracing members had been removed from Towers N9, N10, N11, N12, N13, and N15. This act of vandalism resulted in the collapse of five of these towers. Further inspections revealed that structural members were also removed and stolen from seven other towers along the same transmission corridor, leaving them structurally compromised and at risk of collapse.

In response to the incident, TCN has reconfigured its network to prioritize electricity supply from Ibom Power, aiming to mitigate the impact on consumers. The company is mobilizing resources for an urgent intervention to reconstruct the affected sections of the transmission line. Security agencies have been alerted to investigate the vandalism and enhance security along the transmission corridor to prevent future occurrences.

TCN condemned the act, describing it as sabotage, and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a reliable national transmission grid. Separately, TCN's Port Harcourt Region commissioned a new 150MVA power transformer at its Afam IV Transmission Substation in Rivers State. This upgrade increases the substation's capacity from 120MVA to 240MVA and is part of ongoing projects to strengthen the country's electricity transmission infrastructure.