The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed the collapse of one of its key transmission towers in Kaduna State, attributing the incident to a combination of severe weather and vandalism.
The affected structure, Tower No. 7, located along the Kaduna Town Line I and II in Rigasa Community, fell on Thursday, September 18, after a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds.
In a statement issued by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager of Public Affairs at TCN, the collapse disrupted bulk power transmission to several Kaduna Electric distribution load centres, particularly those serving parts of Kaduna South. “Upon inspection, our engineers discovered that vandals had removed critical structural components from the tower, severely weakening its integrity and making it highly susceptible to collapse,” Mbah said.
The development has led to partial outages in affected areas, prompting TCN to initiate emergency measures. In coordination with Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), the company advised linking the 33kV Mogadishu feeder with the 33kV Abakwa feeder to ensure continued supply to customers in Mogadishu. However, several areas including Kinkinau, Yan Tukwane, Kabala West, Unguwan Muazu, and Kaduna North remain unaffected and continue to receive stable electricity.
TCN engineers have since mobilized to the site, dismantling the damaged tower and preparing for the erection of a replacement structure. The company assured residents that efforts are underway to restore full transmission as quickly and safely as possible.
The incident highlights the growing impact of vandalism on Nigeria’s power infrastructure, already strained by aging assets, weather-related vulnerabilities, and security challenges. TCN disclosed that it recorded 42 vandalism incidents in the first and second quarters of 2025, affecting 178 transmission towers nationwide.
Ali Sharifa, General Manager of Transmission Service at TCN, said during a recent workshop for power correspondents that 2024 and 2025 have been the most difficult years for the company due to widespread vandalism by non-state actors. He explained that in addition to vandalism, natural disasters have also disrupted electricity flow, citing a recent incident along the Kainji-Birnin Kebbi 330kV SC (International) line.
TCN has reiterated its commitment to protecting its facilities and urged communities to report suspicious activities around transmission infrastructure.
