TCN FOILS VANDALISM ATTEMPT, ARRESTS SUSPECT IN BENIN 330kV SWITCHYARD By Raymond Enoch

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has foiled an attempted act of vandalism at its 330kV switchyard in the Benin Sub-Region, following the arrest of a 24-year-old suspect allegedly caught removing cables and electrical wires from a marshalling kiosk within the facility.

The suspect, identified as Wisdom Amaunam, a resident of Erediauwa Community, was apprehended at about 10am on Thursday, October 22, 2026, by a TCN security officer who reportedly caught him in the act during a routine patrol of the switchyard.

His arrest highlights the continuing security concerns surrounding the protection of Nigeria’s critical electricity transmission infrastructure, where acts of vandalism and equipment theft pose significant threats to the stability, reliability and efficiency of power transmission operations.

Following his apprehension, the suspect was handed over to the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation.

He remains in custody pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment.

TCN management commended its security personnel for their vigilance and prompt intervention, while acknowledging the NSCDC for its sustained collaboration in protecting critical national infrastructure.

The company reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on vandalism, trespassing and sabotage, stressing that the deliberate destruction or theft of electricity infrastructure goes beyond the loss of public assets and can undermine power supply, disrupt economic activities and impose additional costs on the electricity sector.

It emphasised that transmission facilities are critical national assets whose protection requires sustained vigilance, effective security coordination and active cooperation from host communities.

Against this backdrop, TCN urged residents and members of the public to remain alert and promptly report suspicious movements or activities around transmission installations to relevant security agencies or the nearest TCN office.

The company stressed that community participation remains an important line of defence against infrastructure vandalism, adding that collective responsibility is essential to safeguarding the nation’s electricity transmission network and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of bulk electricity across the country.