Some parts of Yobe State have been thrown into darkness following the destruction of electricity towers along the Gombe–Damaturu axis by suspected vandals.
This was disclosed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Saturday through a statement on its official X account.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed that Tower T347 on the Gombe–Damaturu 330kV line was vandalised on Friday, October 24, 2025, around 5:46 p.m.,” the statement read.
A routine inspection team discovered that the tower’s legs had been cut off, causing it to tilt and disrupt bulk power supply to Maiduguri, Damaturu, and nearby areas.
Power supply to Maiduguri is currently sustained through the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP), which feeds the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) via key 33kV feeders such as Beneshiek, Damasak, Bama, and University.
According to the statement, Damaturu and surrounding communities are temporarily receiving supplies from the Potiskum Substation.
TCN added that its engineers are on-site working to replace the damaged tower and restore full transmission.
The company has also condemned this act of vandalism and called on the public to safeguard national infrastructure by reporting suspicious activities to security agencies or the nearest TCN office.
The Yobe Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) also confirmed the incident in a statement made available to reporters on Saturday.
According to the statement, YEDC has restored supply to customers in Damaturu and environs through an alternative source, and it is working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to restore bulk supply through the grid.
It added that Maiduguri Metropolitan City will continue to receive power from the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP).
“We encourage the public to report any suspicious activities or individuals around power infrastructure to the nearest law enforcement agency or YEDC office,” YEDC appealed.
“This is not the first such incident is happening, and as of the time of filling in this report, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the vandalism.
“The incident is similar to the previous ones carried out by Boko Haram terrorists.”
Meanwhile, the TCN a few months ago said politicians and economic saboteurs may be responsible for the persistent vandalism of critical power infrastructure, noting that a staggering 264 transmission towers have been vandalised between 2024 and the second quarter of 2025.
The agency also described the development as a national emergency, driven by political sabotage, economic motives, and insurgent activity, with serious consequences for Nigeria’s already fragile electricity supply.
Speaking in Abuja, the General Manager of Transmission Service at TCN, Ali Sharifai, said 86 towers were vandalised in 2024, 26 of which were destroyed, plunging several communities into total blackout.
The trend has escalated in 2025, with 178 towers targeted in just the first six months across all six geopolitical zones. The Port Harcourt region recorded the highest number of incidents, with 17 acts of vandalism affecting 72 towers. Kaduna region followed, with 35 towers affected in just two incidents. Other affected regions include Kano (29 towers), Enugu (16 towers), Abuja (11 towers), Lagos (9 towers), Osogbo (3 towers), and Shiroro (3 towers).
Beyond vandalism, TCN also cited natural disasters as a growing threat to transmission infrastructure. In May 2025, six towers on the Kainji–Birnin Kebbi 330kV international line collapsed due to windstorms and heavy rainfall. Similar incidents affected the Apir–Lafia–Jos 330kV line, highlighting the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to climate-related events.
