Vandals Cripple Power Tower, Disrupt Electricity Supply to Maiduguri, Damaturu

Vandals Cripple Power Tower, Disrupt Electricity Supply to Maiduguri, Damaturu

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported a severe act of vandalism on its critical power infrastructure, leading to a partial disruption of electricity supply to parts of Northeast Nigeria.

In a statement released on Saturday 25th October, 2025 by its General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the TCN disclosed that its Tower T347 along the high-voltage Gombe–Damaturu 330kV transmission line was deliberately vandalized on Friday, October 24, 2025, at approximately 5:46 pm.

The criminal act was discovered by a TCN team conducting a routine inspection of the line. According to the company, the perpetrators had cut through the legs of the massive steel tower, causing it to buckle and collapse to one side, rendering the vital transmission line inoperable.

This sabotage has directly impacted the bulk power supply to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, and Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, along with their surrounding communities.

Despite the significant damage, Ndidi Mbah said the TCN has activated contingency measures to mitigate the blackout.

The company confirmed that bulk electricity supply is being maintained to the affected areas through the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP). This power is being fed to the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) for distribution to consumers via major 33kV feeders, including Beneshiek, Damasak, Bama, University, Campus, Maiduguri Town, and Monguno.

Similarly, Damaturu and its environs will temporarily receive supply from the Potiskum Substation, adding that TCN engineers are already on site, working to replace the damaged tower and restore normal transmisson.

The company strongly condemned the destructive act, labelling it a severe economic sabotage that harms national development.

TCN appealed to members of the public to act as guardians of national infrastructure and to report any suspicious activities observed around power installations to the nearest security agencies or TCN offices.

The incident highlights the persistent challenge of infrastructure vandalism in Nigeria, which continues to cripple essential services and hinder economic activities.