ABUJA — The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has foiled an attempted theft at its 330/132kV transmission substation in Bauchi, preventing the removal of critical power infrastructure.
The incident occurred on Friday, July 24, 2026, at about 9:34 p.m., according to a statement issued by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah.
Security personnel on duty intercepted suspected vandals attempting to dismantle transmission tower components, forcing them to flee the scene on sighting the guards.
“Security personnel at the substation intercepted suspected vandals attempting to remove critical tower members,” the statement said.
A subsequent inspection led to the recovery of 12 transmission tower angle irons, a heavy-duty metal measuring scale and a white pickup truck suspected to have been used by the vandals.
The recovered items, including the vehicle, have been handed over to the Railway Division Police Station in Bauchi for further investigation.
TCN confirmed that no equipment was successfully removed and no injuries were recorded during the incident.
The company commended the vigilance and swift response of its security team, noting that their actions prevented potential damage to critical transmission infrastructure.
TCN also urged host communities to remain alert and report suspicious activities around power installations to security agencies or the nearest TCN office.
The incident highlights ongoing threats to Nigeria’s power infrastructure and the importance of strengthened surveillance and community cooperation in protecting national assets.
