Vandals Bring Down Power Tower On Ughelli–Benin Line

Vandalism Cripples Transmission Line

THE Transmission Company of Nigeria has reported that vandalism led to the collapse of Tower T99 on the Ughelli–Benin 330kV transmission line, disrupting electricity transmission in parts of the network.

The incident occurred in Coconut Village, Effurun area of Warri, Delta State.

Routine Inspection Uncovers Damage

TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah said the damage was discovered during a routine patrol conducted after a line trip.

Engineers found that several bracing components of the tower had been tampered with and removed, weakening the structure and causing it to collapse.

Wider Threat to Infrastructure

Beyond the fallen tower, adjacent structures—T100 and T101—were also found to have been vandalised, highlighting a broader threat to the transmission network.

Electricity Supply Affected

The damage has temporarily interrupted the flow of bulk power from Transcorp Power Plc into the national grid.

TCN warned that such incidents could worsen power supply challenges if not urgently addressed.

Repairs and Reinforcement in Progress

The company said it has commenced emergency measures to rebuild the collapsed tower and strengthen affected infrastructure.

Efforts are focused on restoring stability to the transmission line in the shortest possible time.

Stakeholders Urged to Act

TCN emphasised that safeguarding power infrastructure is a shared responsibility, calling on communities, security agencies, and stakeholders to work together to curb vandalism.

The agency warned that continued attacks on transmission assets pose a serious risk to the nation’s electricity supply system.