Five arrested for vandalising TCN transmission lines in Benue

Five suspects have been apprehended for vandalising high-voltage transmission infrastructure belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Upu community, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Their arrest was carried out by local vigilantes who caught the suspects in the act, according to a statement issued by TCN on Thursday.

The company said the vandals attacked the Otukpo–Yandev 132kV single-circuit transmission line on November 3, damaging towers N16 and N17 in ASA 3 community, with further damage recorded on eight additional towers along the line.

Recovered tower components and other materials were handed over to the Benue State Police Command for investigation and prosecution.

TCN noted that the affected section of the line has been isolated, while bulk power supply has been restored to Yandev, Wukari, Takum, and Kashimbila substations through the Apir substation.

The Otukpo substation has also been back-fed from the New Haven substation to maintain supply.

The company commended the chairman of Otukpo LGA, Hon. Maxwell Ogiri, community leaders, youths, and the vigilante group for their cooperation in facilitating the arrests.

It further pledged to strengthen community partnerships to safeguard critical national power assets.