The Transmission Company of Nigeria has warned of the dangers posed by the continued vandalism of electricity infrastructure after a transmission tower collapsed along the Ughelli-Benin 330kV transmission line in Delta State, killing a suspected vandal.
The incident occurred on Saturday, August 8, 2026, after the transmission line tripped on an earth fault, prompting an intensive patrol by the Delta Sub-Region Lines Maintenance Department of TCN.
The maintenance team traced the fault to Tower 101 along the Ughelli-Benin transmission line and found the structure collapsed.
According to TCN, a suspected vandal was found dead beneath the collapsed tower, with his body trapped between members of the structure.
The company said further inspection revealed that another transmission tower, Tower 101 on the adjacent Ughelli-Sapele 330kV line, had also been seriously vandalised.
The second tower, however, remained standing when the inspection was carried out.
TCN condemned the incident, warning that vandalism of transmission infrastructure could result in power outages, destruction of critical national assets and loss of lives.
The company said the death of the suspected vandal demonstrated the extreme danger involved in tampering with electricity infrastructure.
It called on residents of communities hosting transmission facilities to be vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities around power installations to security agencies or the nearest TCN office.
TCN said the protection of the nation’s electricity infrastructure should not be left to government agencies alone, stressing that host communities and members of the public had important roles to play.
“The fight against the vandalism of power infrastructure is one that must be inclusive. All hands must be on deck for this fight to be won,” the company said.
The transmission company also warned Nigerians against approaching or interfering with transmission towers and other electricity installations, noting that such actions could have fatal consequences.
It urged members of the public to assist in preventing further attacks on power infrastructure, saying vandalism could disrupt electricity supply to thousands of consumers.
TCN described the incident as a tragic reminder of the consequences of tampering with power facilities and urged Nigerians to help protect the infrastructure.
“Stop the vandals, or they will stop power for us all,” the company said.
