The Transmission Company of Nigeria has revealed that it recorded 40 cases of vandalism targeting power infrastructure within the first five months of 2026, highlighting the continued threat facing Nigeria’s electricity transmission network despite intensified security and community engagement efforts.
The company, however, noted that the figure represents a significant improvement compared to previous years, attributing the reduction to stronger collaboration with host communities, increased awareness campaigns, and the deployment of local security measures to protect electricity installations across the country.
The disclosure was made during a sensitisation programme organised by the Lagos Region of the TCN at Itori in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, where community leaders, security agencies, and residents gathered to discuss the growing danger of attacks on power infrastructure.
Speaking during the programme, the General Manager of Transmission at TCN, Adeshina Adeonipekun, explained that the company had recorded no fewer than 276 incidents of transmission tower vandalism between 2022 and 2025.
According to him, the situation has started improving in 2026 due to stronger cooperation between the company and local communities, as well as the proactive response of TCN staff across different regions.
Adeonipekun explained that community support had become one of the company’s strongest tools in combating vandalism, adding that regular sensitisation campaigns were helping residents understand the importance of protecting national electricity infrastructure.
He further noted that cases of vandalism in the South-West region remained relatively lower compared to other parts of the country where attacks on transmission towers and cables have become more frequent.
Also speaking at the event, TCN’s Principal Manager for Lines, Kuye Emmanuel, disclosed that the company had introduced community-based security arrangements to protect transmission lines from criminals and vandals.
According to him, TCN now employs local vigilantes within host communities and pays them monthly to monitor electricity towers and report suspicious movements around critical installations.
He explained that the company adopted the strategy because residents are often the first to notice unusual activities near transmission facilities.
Beyond employing vigilantes, Emmanuel said TCN also provides incentives and support to farmers and residents living around transmission corridors as part of efforts to encourage them to safeguard the infrastructure and cooperate with authorities.
The sensitisation programme focused on educating residents about the dangers associated with vandalising transmission facilities, constructing buildings under high-voltage transmission lines, and carrying out excavation activities near electricity towers.
TCN officials warned that such actions not only damage national assets but also pose serious risks to human lives, electricity supply, economic activities, and national security.
Adeonipekun further revealed that the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies had been assisting the company in tracking and arresting suspected vandals involved in attacks on transmission infrastructure.
Traditional rulers and security officials at the programme also stressed the importance of sustained public awareness and community participation in protecting power installations.
The Olu of Itori Land, Akorede Akamo, praised TCN for organising the sensitisation exercise and appealed for such campaigns to be conducted more frequently.
The monarch explained that the programme aligns with the development goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope agenda and noted that the last awareness exercise in the community was held about four years ago.
According to the traditional ruler, community leaders and Baales across the 127 communities under his domain have continued educating residents on the need to avoid tampering with electricity infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the District Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Itori, Olusola Balogun, warned residents against aiding or protecting vandals.
She stressed that vandalism remains a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law and urged members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
Balogun warned that attacks on transmission towers could lead to widespread power outages, disrupt businesses, damage economic activities, and threaten national security.
Also speaking, the Divisional Police Officer of Itori Police Station, Dapo Ojekunle, appealed to residents to support law enforcement agencies by providing timely intelligence on criminal activities.
He explained that security agencies alone cannot monitor every location simultaneously and therefore depend heavily on community cooperation to prevent crimes and arrest offenders.
The latest disclosure by TCN comes amid rising concerns over repeated attacks on Nigeria’s power infrastructure, which experts say continue to contribute to unstable electricity supply, national grid disturbances, and huge financial losses within the country’s power sector.
