The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed the arrest of five suspected vandals in Upu Community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State by local vigilantes while vandalising the Otukpo–Yandev 132kV Single-Circuit transmission line.

A statement issued on Thursday by the General Manager, Public Affairs of TCN, Ndidi Mbah, showed that the suspects were caught in the act on November 3, 2025, while vandalising towers N16 and N17 in ASA 3 Community, with damage done extending to eight other towers along the line.

Consequently, the suspects with dismembered parts of the towers and other materials recovered were handed over to the Benue State Police Command for investigation and prosecution.

The company also said that the ongoing effort aimed at protecting its critical infrastructure is beginning to yield success with the arrests of suspected vandals.

To ensure stable electricity supply, TCN explained that the damaged section of the line has been isolated and bulk power restored to Yandev, Wukari, Takum, and Kashimbila Transmission Substation through the Apir Substation, while the Otukpo Substation is being backfed from the New Heaven Substation.

TCN however, commended the Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area, Community leaders, Youths and members of the Local Vigilante group for their support in coordinating the arrest of the vandals and promised to sustain the synergy with the community for protection of its critical transmission infrastructure in the area.

It will be recalled that the TCN recently confirmed vandalism of its Tower T347 along the Gombe–Damaturu 330kV transmission line which happened on Friday, October 24, 2025, at about 5:46 pm.

According to the statement, TCN team who carried out routine inspection along the line route discovered that the tower’s legs had been cut off, causing it to buckle to one side. This act, it said resulted in the partial disruption of the bulk power supply to Maiduguri, Borno State capital and Damaturu, Yobe state capital and its environs.