The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported the vandalism of one of its 330kV transmission towers, identified as Tower T347, along the Gombe–Damaturu transmission line, disrupting bulk power supply to parts of the North-East region.
According to a statement issued by TCN and reported by Vanguard on Sunday, the incident occurred on Friday, October 24, 2025, around 5:46 p.m., when vandals cut off the tower’s legs, causing it to partially collapse along the Gombe–Damaturu 330kV transmission route.
“During routine line patrol, our engineers discovered that the tower’s legs had been cut, leading to its partial collapse. This act of sabotage has affected power transmission to some parts of the North-East,” TCN said in a statement.
(Source: Vanguard)
The company explained that the vandalism has led to a temporary disruption in bulk power supply to Yobe and Borno States, particularly affecting Damaturu and Maiduguri.
In its report, Punch confirmed that TCN engineers were immediately deployed to the site to commence repairs and restore transmission on the affected line. The company also said supply to Maiduguri was being sustained through the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP), which currently feeds the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) and several 33kV feeders, including Beneshiek, Damasak, Bama, University Campus, Maiduguri Town, and Monguno.
(Source: Punch)
For Damaturu and its environs, supply is being temporarily routed through the Potiskum Substation pending the full restoration of the damaged tower.
In a separate report, The Guardian Nigeria highlighted that the incident plunged parts of Yobe State into darkness and reignited calls for stronger community vigilance around national electricity infrastructure. The paper also quoted TCN’s management as saying that “repeated vandalism of power assets is fast becoming a national emergency,” noting that more than 100 transmission towers had been vandalised across the country between 2024 and 2025.
(Source: The Guardian)
TCN urged residents along transmission routes to assist in safeguarding public infrastructure by reporting suspicious movements near power lines to security agencies.
“These vandals are sabotaging national development. Communities must see transmission lines as shared assets that need collective protection,” the company’s spokesperson added.
Security operatives have since been notified, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
This latest attack follows similar cases of tower vandalism in recent months, underscoring the challenges of maintaining Nigeria’s power infrastructure amid growing security and economic pressures.
