Power Installation Vandals Caught On Act Meet Waterloo As Police, Hunters Arrest Others, Says TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has revealed the killing of two and arrest of other vandals operating along the Damboa/Maiduguri 132KV transmission line in Borno State.

It expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in vandalism of transmission installations across the country, adding that the growing threat urgently requires the cooperation of all citizens, particularly those in host communities where these installations are located.

According to TCN, “On Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, security operatives apprehended vandals in a blue pick-up van loaded with sacks containing tower members and cables stolen from transmission towers along the Damboa/Maiduguri 132KV transmission line.

“The vandals were arrested by the Nigeria Police and are currently in custody at the Damboa Police Station. They will be transferred to the National Police Force Headquarters in Maiduguri.

“The tower members and cables were stolen from the towers along the Damboa/Maiduguri 132kV transmission line, which is still under reconstruction due to a previous vandalism attack on the same line.

“On August 11th, 2024, vandals attacked towers T377, T378, and T379 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line, which is undergoing rapid and urgent repair following a previous vandalism incident involving IEDs on towers T193 and T194. However, two of the vandals were killed by hunters at the Damaturu end of the line. “

A statement by the TCN General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, reiterated the need for collective action against vandals of power installations of any kind and remain committed to working with communities and security agencies and vigilantes to safeguard power installations.

She emphasized that the fight against vandalism remains pivotal to maintaining a stable power network.