The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Monday warned that vandalism of its transmission facilities by hoodlums remains a major obstacle to stable power supply nationwide, calling for coordinated efforts to curb the menace.

TCN Regional Head of Operations for the Southwest, Adesina Adeonipekun, made the disclosure on Monday during a sensitisation and awareness programme on the safety and protection of the company’s facilities in Osogbo, Osun State capital. The regional office covers Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Ekiti, Ondo, and Ogun states.

He called on stakeholders to join hands in safeguarding transmission facilities, stressing that funds spent on repairing vandalised equipment could instead be used to extend power infrastructure to communities in need.

“The huge amount of money used by TCN in purchasing and repairing vandalised transmission facilities is significant and could be used to provide needed facilities in other communities that need them,” he said.

 Adeonipekun stressed that TCN plans to equip stakeholders with mobile phones and recharge cards to facilitate prompt communication in case of emergencies.

The Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Adeduro Agbeye, said the corps would continue its crackdown on vandalism and encroachment of national assets.

Agbeye urged residents and traditional rulers to educate communities on the dangers of tampering with power transmission lines.

He said: “We will continue to discuss this sensitisation in our divisions and local government meetings to open the eyes of everyone to the dangers of vandalism. Residents must report any form of vandalism in their environment.”

He added that the corps will begin arresting anyone found under TCN cables from January 2026.

Also speaking, the Assistant General Manager of TCN, Osogbo Sub-Region, Chizoba Ezeoke, emphasised that stakeholders’ engagement remains central to preventing damage to TCN facilities.

She advised communities to report any suspicious activities for swift intervention by security agencies.

The meeting brought together security agencies, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.