TCN Yola-Jalingo Transmission Line Hit by Vandalism, Police Nab Key Suspect

The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has reported a significant setback in its operations following the vandalism of six critical transmission towers along the Yola-Jalingo 330kV Transmission Line. This incident was discovered during a routine inspection by TCN engineers on July 29, 2026. The affected towers, identified as T995, T998, T999, T1002, T1003, and T1004, were found to have been stripped of vital components, with an estimated 130 pieces of tower materials stolen. This act of vandalism not only poses a serious threat to the structural integrity of the towers but also undermines the stability of the national grid. In response to this incident, TCN collaborated with the Nigeria Police Force to launch a joint operation within the host community on July 30, 2026. This operation involved engaging with local leaders and youth representatives to garner support for identifying and apprehending those responsible. The police subsequently informed TCN on August 1, 2026, that a key suspect linked to the vandalism had been apprehended, and some of the stolen materials had been recovered. TCN officials verified the recovered materials and called for the full prosecution of the suspect to ensure justice. The company emphasized that investigators have obtained valuable leads from the suspect in custody and are working diligently to track down other members of the alleged vandalism syndicate. TCN condemned the persistent vandalism of electricity infrastructure, describing it as a threat to national grid assets and the significant investments made in the power sector over the years. The company urged host communities and the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around transmission installations to the relevant security agencies or the nearest TCN office, stressing that protecting critical power infrastructure requires collective effort to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply.