TCN, Police Arrest Suspect for Vandalising 6 Towers on Yola–Jalingo Line

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said a suspect has been arrested and parts recovered after vandals stripped bracing from six towers on the Yola–Jalingo 330kV transmission line.

According to the TCN, six towers on the Yola–Jalingo 330kV transmission line, namely, T995, T998, T999, T1002, T1003 and T1004, had been vandalised.

The company said its engineers discovered the damage during a routine patrol on 29 July 2026. The company said vandals removed critical bracing members and carted away about 130 pieces, putting the towers at risk of collapse.

TCN said it worked with the Nigeria Police Force and carried out a joint raid in the host community on 30 July, engaging the village head and youth leaders to help identify the perpetrators.

According to TCN, the police arrested a principal suspect on 1 August and recovered some of the stolen tower parts.

TCN officials said they inspected the recovered materials and called for the full prosecution of the suspect. The police said they had obtained solid leads from the suspect and were pursuing other members of the syndicate, adding that investigations were ongoing.

TCN described the vandalism as a serious threat to investments in the power sector and urged host communities and the public to report suspicious activity around transmission lines to security agencies or the nearest TCN office.