The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed the arrest of a vandal in Osun State. The individual was apprehended on Tuesday night by armed vigilantes while attempting to sabotage a transmission tower in the Ikeji-Ile area. Two accomplices remain at large and are currently being pursued by authorities.
The incident was detailed in a statement posted by TCN on its official X (formerly Twitter) account and obtained by Channels Television. TCN reported that the same transmission tower had been vandalized earlier on August 13, 2024, with critical components stolen.
The suspects reportedly returned on the night of August 26 to continue their vandalism, leading to the arrest of one individual. Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, expressed growing concern over the increasing threat of vandalism targeting power installations, particularly in communities hosting such infrastructure.
Between July 1 and August 11, 2024, TCN experienced numerous vandalism incidents across its transmission regions. Notable incidents include:
- On August 7, 2024, security operatives intercepted vandals in a blue pick-up truck loaded with stolen tower components and cables along the Damboa/Maiduguri 132KV transmission line. Two vandals were killed by hunters at the Damaturu end of the line.
- On August 3 and 5, 2024, attacks occurred on towers in the Enugu Region. Vandals targeted Tower T9 on the Apir-Aliede 330kV line and Tower T12 on the Apir-Otukpo-Yandev 123kV line, cutting and stealing components.
- On August 5, vandals also removed a yellow phase conductor from towers T11 to T12, causing a tripping of the 150MVA power transformer at the Apir Transmission Substation.
- On July 24, 2024, Tower T328 along the 330kV Osogbo-Ganmo line in Osogbo was severely damaged, affecting nearby towers T327 and T329.
- Vandalism in the Benin Region on July 19 and 25 included cutting off supporting members and legs of towers at Oluku Community.
- Similar attacks were reported in the Port Harcourt and Bauchi Regions, resulting in multiple tower collapses.
Mbah called for collective action from host communities to combat these attacks, urging collaboration with security agencies and vigilantes to protect power installations nationwide.
