Trending 
A suspected vandal has been arrested while allegedly attempting to damage a transmission tower along the Benin-Onitsha 330kV transmission line, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said.
In a statement issued on Thursday, TCN said the suspect was apprehended by members of the Ikhueniro Community Vigilantes during a routine patrol in the early hours of August 2.
According to the company, the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Humphry Anala from Auchi, Edo State, was allegedly caught beneath one of its transmission towers at about 2:30 a.m. while attempting to loosen the tower’s base bracing.
The vigilante members arrested the suspect and handed him over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation.
TCN said the suspect remains in NSCDC custody and is expected to be arraigned in court after investigations are concluded.
The company disclosed that preliminary findings suggest Anala had previously been apprehended by members of the same community about two months ago for a similar alleged offence.
According to TCN, he was reportedly released after pleading for leniency following medical treatment but was later arrested again over another alleged attempt to vandalise power infrastructure.
Commending the Ikhueniro Community Vigilante, TCN praised its members for their vigilance and swift response, describing their actions as vital to protecting critical national infrastructure.
The company also acknowledged the continued collaboration of the NSCDC in safeguarding the nation’s electricity transmission assets.
TCN condemned acts of vandalism targeting power infrastructure and urged host communities and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around transmission towers, substations and other electricity installations to security agencies or the company’s offices.
TCN COMMENDS VIGILANTE FOR ARREST OF SUSPECTED VANDAL ALONG BENIN–ONITSHA 330kV TRANSMISSION LINE
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commended the Ikhueniro Community Vigilante for its vigilance and swift response, which led to the arrest of a suspected vandal… pic.twitter.com/KtJJQdCHIL
— TCNNIGERIA (@TCN_NIGERIA) August 6, 2026
