TCN Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line Collapses, Kebbi Faces Blackout as Sokoto Gets Power Through Alternative Route
By Yusuf Gwandu
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has declared a Force Majeure Event on the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line following the collapse of a transmission tower along the corridor.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, TCN said the transmission line tripped at about 10:44 p.m. on Monday, September 7.
The company said a trial reclosure was attempted at 11:07 p.m., but the line tripped again.
According to TCN, linesmen from its Birnin Kebbi Sub-Region subsequently embarked on a fault-finding patrol along the transmission corridor and discovered the collapsed transmission tower, identified as T367, on Tuesday.
Preliminary findings by the company indicated that the tower collapse was caused by heavy winds and rainstorms experienced in the area.
TCN said the incident has affected the transmission of bulk electricity through the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi transmission corridor, prompting the declaration of Force Majeure on the 2KNJ–BRK1 transmission line.
The company said it has commenced arrangements to mobilise personnel, equipment and other resources to the affected location to rehabilitate the collapsed tower and restore the line to service as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, TCN said it has maintained electricity transmission to Sokoto by enabling the Talata Mafara–Sokoto corridor to receive power through an alternative transmission route from the Kaduna/Mando axis via the 132kV Zaria–Funtua–Gusau transmission line.
The company apologised for the inconvenience the development may cause electricity consumers and other stakeholders affected by the outage.
TCN assured the public that every effort was being made to restore normal transmission service as quickly as possible.
