Police Arrest Suspect as Vandals Target Six TCN Transmission Towers, Recover Stolen Components

Police Arrest Suspect as Vandals Target Six TCN Transmission Towers, Recover Stolen Components

By Our Reporter

Abuja (Core reporters)-The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed the vandalism of six transmission towers along the Yola–Jalingo 330kV transmission line, with the Nigeria Police Force arresting a principal suspect and recovering part of the stolen tower components.

According to TCN, the affected towers—T995, T998, T999, T1002, T1003, and T1004—were discovered during a routine patrol by its engineers on July 29, 2026. The inspection revealed that vandals had removed about 130 critical bracing members, leaving the structures at risk of collapse.

In response, TCN and the Nigeria Police conducted a joint operation in the host community on July 30, engaging the village head and youth leaders while seeking their cooperation in identifying those responsible for the crime.

The company said the Police informed it on August 1 that a principal suspect had been arrested and part of the stolen tower members recovered. TCN officials subsequently visited the recovery site to verify the materials and urged the Police to ensure the suspect is prosecuted.

TCN added that investigators have obtained useful leads from the suspect and are pursuing other members of the vandalism syndicate.

The company condemned the persistent attacks on electricity transmission infrastructure, warning that such acts undermine significant investments in Nigeria’s power sector and threaten the reliability of electricity supply.

TCN appealed to host communities and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around transmission installations to security agencies or the nearest TCN office, stressing that protecting national grid assets requires collective action.