TCN blames vandals, storm for Kaduna power tower collapse

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has blamed both vandals and severe weather for the collapse of a transmission tower in Kaduna, which has thrown parts of the state into darkness.

In a statement issued on Saturday by TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the company said “tower No. 7 along the Kaduna town line I and II in Rigasa community” collapsed on Thursday, September 18, after a heavy downpour and windstorm.

It explained that the situation was worsened by human sabotage.

“The tower collapse caused a cut in the transmission of bulk power to some Kaduna Electric distribution load centres, particularly the ones through which they supply some parts of Kaduna South.

While inspecting the site of the incident, however, TCN’s linemen discovered that vandals had carted away some of the tower members, making it susceptible to collapse,” the statement read.

The incident cut bulk power supply to some Kaduna Electric distribution load centres, particularly those feeding parts of Kaduna South.

Areas such as Kinkinau, Yan Tukwane, Kabala West, Unguwan Muazu and Kaduna North were, however, not affected and continued to receive electricity.

While inspecting the site of the incident, however, TCN’s linemen discovered that vandals had carted away some of the tower members, making it susceptible to collapse,” the statement read.

The incident cut bulk power supply to some Kaduna Electric distribution load centres, particularly those feeding parts of Kaduna South.

Areas such as Kinkinau, Yan Tukwane, Kabala West, Unguwan Muazu and Kaduna North were, however, not affected and continued to receive electricity.

However, to ensure that the impact of the incident is curtailed, TCN has advised Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company to link its 33kV Mogadishu feeder with 33kV Abakwa feeder to enable electricity customers in Mogadishu to have access to power supply,” it stated.

The firm disclosed that engineers had already been mobilised to the site of the collapse. “Our engineers are already at the site of the incident, dismantling the collapsed tower members to enable them to clear the site and commence the re-erection of a new tower,” the statement read.

The TCN also apologised to affected residents, saying, “We apologise for the inconvenience the incident has caused the affected customers in Southern Kaduna, and we sincerely appreciate their patience and understanding as we continue to work around the clock to build a new tower.

“Please note that every effort is being made to minimise the duration of the outage.”

Earlier in June 2025, TCN raised the alarm over the persistent destruction of its infrastructure, revealing that a total of 264 high-voltage transmission towers were vandalised across the country between January 2024 and June 2025.

According to the agency, the attacks, fueled by sabotage, political motives, and economic incentives, have plunged entire regions into darkness and significantly derailed efforts to improve the national electricity supply, which reached 8,701 megavolt-amperes of transformer capacity.

The agency appealed for stronger community vigilance and urged citizens to report suspicious activities around transmission towers.

Cupped from Punch.