By Jabiru Hassan
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported the vandalization of its Tower T347 along the Gombe–Damaturu 330kV transmission line on Friday, October 24, 2025, around 5:46 p.m.
In a statement issued by the company, TCN disclosed that its maintenance team, during a routine inspection of the transmission route, discovered that the tower’s legs had been severed by vandals, causing it to tilt dangerously to one side.
The company said the incident led to a partial disruption of bulk power supply to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, as well as surrounding communities.
Despite the setback, TCN assured the public that electricity supply to Maiduguri and its environs is being sustained through the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP). The MEPP currently supplies power to the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), which distributes electricity to key areas through major 33kV feeders, including Beneshiek, Damasak, Bama, University, Campus, Maiduguri Town, and Monguno, among others.
Similarly, Damaturu and neighboring areas will continue to receive power supply from the Potiskum Substation pending the completion of repair works on the vandalized structure.
According to the statement, TCN engineers are already on-site, working to replace the damaged tower and restore full transmission along the Gombe–Damaturu 330kV line. The company assured that every effort is being made to expedite repairs and minimize the impact on electricity consumers in the affected states.
TCN condemned the act of vandalism, describing it as a major threat to the stability and reliability of the national grid. The company appealed to residents and community leaders along transmission line routes to help protect public infrastructure.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around transmission facilities to security agencies or the nearest TCN office,” the statement added.
The company reiterated its commitment to ensuring stable and reliable power transmission across Nigeria while calling for stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies to curb recurring cases of vandalism on power infrastructure.
