The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has arrested more than 30 suspected vandals of electricity infrastructure, particularly along the Kumbotso–Zaria transmission line corridor.
The Kano Regional General Manager of TCN, M.K. Bello, disclosed this during a sensitisation campaign against infrastructure vandalism and encroachment in Paki community, Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Bello attributed the arrests to the cooperation of traditional rulers, residents, the police and other security agencies. He also revealed that approximately 10 transmission towers had been vandalised within four to five months, while five related cases were currently before the courts.
He warned that vandalism could disrupt electricity supply and impose significant replacement costs on the company. Bello further expressed concern over excavation, construction and pit-digging near transmission towers, noting that such activities could weaken the structures and cause them to collapse.
According to him, the towers support transmission lines carrying electricity over distances of between 200 and 300 kilometres. He urged residents to avoid activities that could endanger the infrastructure and to promptly report suspected vandalism or encroachment to the relevant authorities.
TCN appealed for continued community cooperation to protect critical electricity facilities and ensure reliable power transmission.
