No Hiding Place for Vandals as TCN Hails Vigilante Over Another Arrest of Suspected Vandal Along Benin–Onitsha 330kV Transmission Line

No Hiding Place for Vandals as TCN Hails Vigilante Over Another Arrest of Suspected Vandal Along Benin–Onitsha 330kV Transmission Line

By Raphael Ekpang

In a bid to rid the country of vandals targeting power infrastructure, security operatives have stepped up efforts to protect critical national assets.

Accordingly, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commended the Omelu Community Vigilante for its vigilance and swift response, which led to the arrest of a suspected vandal allegedly attempting to vandalise a transmission tower along the Benin–Onitsha 330kV Transmission Line.

The incident according to TCN management occurred at about 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by members of the Omelu Community Vigilante, who noticed a suspicious individual beneath one of TCN’s transmission towers. The suspect, later identified as 34-year-old Mr. Humphry Anala, an indigene of Auchi, Edo State, residing in Benin City, was allegedly attempting to loosen the tower’s base bracing when he was apprehended.

Following his arrest, the suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation. He remains in the custody of the Corps and is expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Preliminary findings indicated that the suspect Anala, had reportedly been apprehended by members of the same community about two months earlier for a similar alleged offence. On that occasion, he was reportedly released after pleading for leniency following medical treatment, only to be apprehended again for an alleged repeat offence.

Meanwhile, TCN has commended the vigilance and sustained commitment of the Omelu Community Vigilante in protecting critical national infrastructure and appreciates the continued collaboration of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in safeguarding the nation’s transmission assets.

“TCN strongly condemns all acts of vandalism and sabotage against power transmission infrastructure and calls on host communities and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities around transmission towers, substations, and other power installations to the nearest security agency or TCN office.”