A thunderstorm disrupted the 132 kV Otukpo–Nsukka transmission line in Nigeria, causing extensive damage to property and livestock. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported that the incident occurred on 3 September 2025 near Tower 97, when a conductor snapped and fell to the ground as a result of the storm. The high‑voltage discharge ignited a house, burned a parked car and killed two cows.
TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, explained that despite the damage, there was no load loss on the Nsukka axis because power was rerouted through the Otukpo 132 kV Transmission Substation to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company for onward distribution. The company emphasized the importance of respecting transmission infrastructure and avoiding encroachment on the right‑of‑way, which poses serious risks to lives and property.
Regional Manager for the Enugu Region, Tom Inugonum, led an on‑site assessment and confirmed that the thunderstorm had snapped the line, causing the damage. TCN’s Quick Response Line Maintenance Team has begun dismantling the damaged section, and the restringing of a new conductor is underway. The company is working to restore the line safely and quickly, while minimizing the impact on affected communities.
The incident underscores the need for caution and awareness regarding the dangers of building houses, parking cars, or engaging in other activities beneath transmission lines. Such actions are illegal and present significant risks to life and property. Although no human lives were lost, the event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining and respecting critical infrastructure to ensure public safety and prevent damage to property and the environment.
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