The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported that at least 18 electricity transmission towers were destroyed and parts stolen by vandals within five days across three states.
In a statement issued on Sunday by TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the affected states were identified as Rivers, Abia, and Kano. The incidents, uncovered during routine patrols, have significantly disrupted power supply and hindered the government’s grid expansion plans.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria regrets to announce that over 18 transmission towers were vandalized between January 9 and 14, 2025, across Rivers, Abia, and Kano States,” the statement read.
In Rivers State, the General Manager of Transmission for the Port Harcourt Region, Emmanuel Okpa, confirmed that routine inspections on January 10 revealed that towers 171 to 181, along with tower 184, had been damaged. By January 14, vandals had also targeted towers 146, 147, and 149 along the Owerri-Ahoada 132kV line, removing key structural components and compromising their stability.
Similarly, in Abia State, the Head of the Lines Department, Azuh Lucky, reported that towers 160 to 162 along the Alaoji-Umuahia 132kV line were attacked on January 13, with bolts, nuts, and other structural materials stolen.
In Kano, towers 105, 106, and 107 on the Katsina-Gazoua 132/33kV transmission line were critically damaged on January 9, raising concerns over structural integrity and potential collapse.
Adding to the crisis, TCN engineers discovered vandalized 132kV underground transmission cables near Millennium Park in Abuja in the early hours of January 17. This incident caused power outages in the central area, affecting key locations such as the Presidential Villa and the office of the Minister of Power.
The repeated acts of vandalism pose a severe challenge to Nigeria’s electricity grid, disrupting supply to millions of homes and businesses. The TCN has called for stronger security measures and public cooperation to prevent further damage to critical infrastructure.
