TCN Raises Alarm Over Rising Vandalism, Mobilises Niger Community to Protect Power Infrastructure

By Iyojo Ameh
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has intensified efforts to curb the rising wave of vandalism targeting electricity infrastructure, launching a sensitisation campaign in Lambata Community, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, to rally residents against attacks on transmission facilities.

The awareness programme, which focused on the dangers of vandalism and encroachment on transmission line right-of-way corridors, forms part of TCN’s broader strategy to safeguard critical power assets and improve electricity supply across the country.

Speaking during the engagement, the General Manager, Transmission, Engr. Musa Shuaibu, expressed concern over what he described as an unprecedented increase in the destruction of transmission facilities nationwide.

He noted that vandals often sell stolen components for negligible amounts while inflicting enormous economic and social costs on communities that depend on stable electricity supply.

According to him, prolonged power outages caused by vandalism disrupt essential services, including healthcare delivery, and undermine efforts to expand and modernise Nigeria’s power infrastructure.

Shuaibu further warned that acts of vandalism frequently result in fatalities, as perpetrators risk electrocution while tampering with high-voltage installations.

Representing the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), DSE Adah Ngbede stressed that perpetrators of vandalism would face the full weight of the law, describing the protection of electricity infrastructure as a collective responsibility.

“No TCN, No Light,” he declared, urging residents to support efforts aimed at securing transmission assets.

The District Head of Izom, Alhaji Ibrahim A. Salihu, appealed to community members to take ownership of the facilities located within their areas, noting that the infrastructure ultimately serves the people.

Addressing the gathering in Hausa, the traditional ruler called on residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.

Similarly, the representative of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), ASP Galadima Edward, assured residents of the police’s readiness to respond swiftly to credible intelligence regarding threats to power installations.

He encouraged community members to maintain close collaboration with security agencies in protecting transmission towers and other critical infrastructure.

TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, explained that the sensitisation campaign is designed to educate communities on the far-reaching consequences of vandalism while promoting public participation in safeguarding national assets.

She said the initiative would continue through stakeholder engagements, awareness campaigns and advocacy programmes aimed at strengthening community support for the protection of electricity infrastructure.

The event attracted representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, Vigilante Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Niger State Road Traffic Management Agency (NISTMA), traditional institutions, community leaders and members of the media.