The Nigeria Police have successfully apprehended vandals in possession of stolen tower cables from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), marking a significant step in the ongoing battle against infrastructure vandalism.
The incident occurred along the Damboa/Maiduguri 132KV transmission line on August 7, 2024, where the suspects were caught attempting to flee in a blue pick-up van loaded with the stolen cables. According to TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the vandals are currently held at the Damboa Police Station and will be transferred to the Police Headquarters in Maiduguri for further investigation.
This case is part of a larger trend of escalating vandalism against TCN facilities nationwide. Between July 1 and August 11, 2024, multiple acts of sabotage have been recorded across various regions, affecting vital transmission lines and causing significant disruptions to power supply.
In response to these incidents, TCN has been working closely with security agencies and local vigilante groups to safeguard its installations. The company has also called for greater public vigilance and cooperation, especially in communities hosting these critical infrastructures, to combat the growing threat of vandalism and prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
The ongoing efforts to repair and reinforce damaged towers and lines highlight the urgency of addressing this issue, as continuous vandalism poses a severe risk to Nigeria’s power sector.