TCN warned that the increasing vandalism of electricity infrastructure posed a serious threat to the stability of the power supply and the safety of individuals who tamper with transmission facilities
By Moses Okorie
A suspected vandal has been killed after a vandalised transmission tower collapsed on him along the 330kV Ughelli-Benin transmission line in Delta State.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed this in a statement issued by its management in Abuja on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
The company said the incident was uncovered during an intensive patrol conducted by its Delta Sub-Region, Lines Maintenance Department, after the Ughelli-Benin 330kV transmission line tripped on an earth fault.
According to TCN, the patrol team traced the fault to Tower 101, which had collapsed as a result of vandalism.
The body of the suspected vandal was subsequently discovered crushed between the steel members of the fallen tower.
TCN said its inspection of the area also revealed that Tower 101 on the nearby Ughelli-Sapele 330kV transmission line had been seriously vandalised.
The company noted that, unlike the Ughelli-Benin tower, the Ughelli-Sapele tower remained standing at the time of the inspection despite the extent of damage inflicted on it.
Condemning the incident, TCN warned that the increasing vandalism of electricity infrastructure posed a serious threat to the stability of the power supply and the safety of individuals who tamper with transmission facilities.
The company urged residents of communities hosting transmission infrastructure to be vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities around power installations to security agencies or TCN offices.
TCN stressed that tackling the vandalism of power infrastructure required the cooperation of government agencies, security personnel, host communities and the general public.
The company also described the death of the suspected vandal as a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with tampering with high-voltage electricity infrastructure.
It said vandalism not only results in damage to critical national assets and power outages but can also lead to loss of lives.
“Protecting power infrastructure is a civic responsibility,” TCN said, urging Nigerians to join the fight against the destruction of electricity facilities.
“Stop the vandals, or they will stop power for us all,” the company warned.