Police Nab Suspect as Vandals Bring Down Six TCN Power Towers

"The suspect had provided investigators with useful information, which is aiding efforts to apprehend other members of the vandalism syndicate." TCN management.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, has arrested a prime suspect over the vandalism of six transmission towers along the Yola–Jalingo 330kV power line, recovering part of the stolen components as investigations continue.

The damaged towers, identified as T995, T998, T999, T1002, T1003 and T1004, were discovered during a routine patrol by TCN engineers on July 29, 2026.

According to the company, the vandals removed about 130 critical steel bracing members from the towers, leaving the structures dangerously weakened and posing a serious threat to the integrity of the transmission line.

Following the discovery, TCN and the police launched a joint operation on July 30 in the host community, where they met with the village head and youth leaders, urging them to assist in identifying those behind the attack.

The operation yielded results on August 1 when police arrested a key suspect allegedly linked to the vandalism. Security operatives also recovered some of the stolen tower components.

TCN officials later inspected the recovered materials and called for the diligent prosecution of the suspect, stressing that those responsible must face the full weight of the law.

The company disclosed that the suspect had provided investigators with useful information, which is aiding efforts to apprehend other members of the vandalism syndicate.

Condemning the persistent destruction of electricity infrastructure, TCN warned that attacks on transmission facilities undermine years of investment in the nation's power sector and threaten the stability of electricity supply.

The company appealed to residents of host communities and the general public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around transmission installations to security agencies or the nearest TCN office, emphasizing that safeguarding critical national infrastructure requires collective responsibility.