Multiple incidents of power infrastructure vandalism have occurred in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, leading to significant power outages.1 The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has repeatedly blamed these acts on vandals who dismantle and steal components from power towers and other electrical installations.2
Here are some key incidents and details:
- October 2025 Incident: Vandals pulled down a power tower (T35) along the Eket-Ikot Abasi 132 kV Transmission Line in the Ete Community, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.3 A TCN inspection team found several dismantled tower parts on the ground, with additional members stolen.4 This act disrupted the bulk power supply to several substations and the Ibom Power Station, affecting the distribution of electricity to customers in Eket and Ekim towns.5
- April 2022 Incident: A nationwide power grid collapse was attributed to the vandalism of Transmission Tower number 104 at Oku Iboku, Akwa Ibom State.6 This tower, part of the 330 kilovolts (kV) Ikot Ekpene to Odukpani transmission line, was brought down by vandals, causing a sudden loss of 400MW of generation from the Calabar NIPP plant.7 This single act plunged the entire country into darkness and also affected power supply to Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
The issue of power infrastructure vandalism is a widespread problem across Nigeria.8 The TCN has reported numerous similar incidents in other states, highlighting a serious and persistent threat to the country’s power sector. In response to these attacks, the federal government has spent billions of naira on repairs.9 The Minister of Power has called for stricter penalties, including capital punishment, to serve as a deterrent. The government is also exploring other measures, such as increased security patrols, collaboration with local communities and vigilante groups, and public enlightenment campaigns, to protect these critical national assets.
