The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has strongly condemned the vandalism of its electrical tower, T195, along the Ugwuaji-Makurdi 330kV transmission line in Benue State.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Watuolo Village, Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area, was disrupted by local vigilantes. 
According to TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, one of the suspects was apprehended, while others managed to escape.
The company has urged communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to prevent further attacks on critical infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the arrested suspect was handed over to the police for further investigation.
In an official statement, Mbah commended the villagers for their swift action.
“The vandalism was thwarted by the vigilance of the community members, who at about 3:00 am noticed suspicious activity around the tower and promptly apprehended one of the vandals while the others escaped. The vandal was handed over to the police.”
This development highlights the crucial role local communities play in safeguarding public infrastructure.
Moreover, the need for increased security around power installations has been emphasized by TCN to prevent further incidents.
Furthermore, TCN has called on host communities to take ownership of protecting vital transmission installations within their areas.
The statement further noted, “TCN commends the people of Watuolo Village for their swift action and vigilance.
We equally appeal to communities hosting critical infrastructure to emulate this example and take ownership of protecting transmission installations in their vicinity.”
Ensuring the safety of such infrastructure is essential to maintaining stable electricity transmission across the country.
Authorities have been urged to intensify security measures to deter vandals from disrupting power supply.
Therefore, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to working with security agencies and local communities to combat vandalism.
TCN stressed the importance of continuous public vigilance, saying,
“As we continue to work with security operatives and host communities against vandalism, we continue to appeal for more vigilance by residents in the communities, who we believe are very critical in this fight.”
The recent incident serves as a reminder that securing public assets is a collective responsibility.
Meanwhile, efforts are being intensified to ensure that such attacks are swiftly addressed to prevent further obstructions in power supply.
