Five Vandals Meet Waterloo As Vigilantees Arrest Them Destroying TCN’s Otukpo-Yandev 132KV Line

Local Vigilantees have arrested five suspected vandals from Upu Community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State while vandalising the Otukpo–Yandev 132kV Single-Circuit transmission line on November 3, 2025.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed this in a statement, applauding that its ongoing efforts aimed at protecting its infrastructure is beginning to yield success.

TCN General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, explained that the suspects were caught in the act while vandalising towers N16 and N17 in ASA 3 Community, with damage done already extending to eight other towers along the line.

She said that the suspects with dismembered parts of the towers and other materials recovered were handed over to the Benue State Police Command for investigation and prosecution.

Meanwhile she disclosed that the damaged section of the line has been isolated and bulk power restored to Yandev, Wukari, Takum, and Kashimbila Transmission Substation through the Apir Substation.

Also, she said the Otukpo Substation is being backfed from the New Heaven Substation.

TCN, however, commended the Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area, Community leaders, Youths and members of the Local Vigilante group for their support in coordinating the arrest of the vandals and promised to sustain the synergy with the community for protection of its critical transmission infrastructure in the area.