![A transmission tower [PHOTO CREDIT: Ellesmere Port Cheshire https://www flickr com/photos/oneterry/15143973918]](https://thepreviewmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Power-line-towers.jpg)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Thursday said its Tower T99 along the Ughelli/Benin 330kV transmission line collapsed on 15 March as a result of vandalism.
A statement by the TCN General Manager Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, noted that the incident was discovered during a line patrol at Coconut Village, Effurun LGA, Warri, Delta State, following a line trip.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) wishes to inform the public that Tower T99 along the Ughelli/Benin 330kV Transmission Line collapsed on March 15, 2026, as a result of vandalism,” Ms Mbah said.
She said upon inspection by TCN’s linesman, it was observed that the fallen tower had some of its bracing members vandalised and carted away, which led to its collapse.
“The adjoining towers, T100 and T101, were also vandalised although they remain standing,” she added.
As a result, she said there is a temporary disruption in the evacuation of bulk power supply from Transcorp Power Plc to the national grid through the Benin 330kV transmission line.
However, she added that the TCN has commenced the mobilisation of resources to facilitate the reconstruction, restoration, and reinforcement of the vandalised towers and affected transmission line as soon as possible.
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“We reiterate that vandalism poses a serious threat to the stability of the nation’s transmission system and urge host communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around transmission installations to security operatives or the nearest TCN office.
“The fight against the vandalism of power infrastructure is a collective responsibility. We call on all stakeholders to join hands in protecting these critical national assets from further attacks,” she said.
Vandalism has recently become a significant threat to Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
In January 2025, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said over N9 billion was spent to restore vandalised power infrastructure in the northern part of Nigeria in 2024.
Last December, the TCN said it recorded 131 vandalism incidents across its network from January to November 2025.
