By Our Reporter
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has warned that the persistent collapse of the national power grid is largely driven by the rising wave of vandalism of electricity infrastructure across the country.
Speaking at a sensitisation programme in Umelu community, Benin City, the General Manager of TCN, Benin Region, Mr. Charles Iwuamadi, said vandalism remains the biggest threat to Nigeria’s power stability.
“Vandalism is directly proportional to the number of system collapses. In most cases, when we experience a nationwide blackout, it is because critical power facilities have been vandalised. In the last five years, vandalism has increased by over 30 per cent. Without our interventions, the number of collapses would have doubled,” Iwuamadi said.
He explained that transmission lines and towers, which serve as lifelines for the national grid, become highly vulnerable once a single section is tampered with, destabilising the entire network and plunging the nation into darkness.
Beyond vandalism, Iwuamadi also decried the illegal erection of structures under high-tension transmission lines, warning that such practices not only disrupt operations but expose residents to grave risks.
“Living or building under transmission towers exposes people to high radiation, severe health hazards, and even the danger of instant death if a line snaps. Human beings and structures cannot withstand the impact of a 330kV line. It is not only illegal but deadly,” he cautioned.
The TCN chief emphasised that community sensitisation remains the company’s preferred approach over punitive measures such as arrests or demolition, noting that when residents are properly informed, they are more likely to collaborate in protecting power assets.
Commending Umelu community for its cooperation along the 131-kilometre Benin–Onitsha transmission line, he urged them to sustain their vigilance and support.
Also speaking, Suleiman Mohammed, Deputy Commandant and Head of the Critical National Assets Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo State, echoed the call for community protection of national infrastructure.
“Any government facility in your area should be safeguarded. When you vandalise it, you deprive yourselves. Money that should be used for new projects is wasted on repairs. Communities with records of vandalism may even lose future government investments, as projects will be taken to safer areas,” Mohammed said.
Community members at the event called on TCN to help improve local power supply and maintain transmission rights-of-way, while pledging to continue cooperating with both the company and security agencies to safeguard power infrastructure.
The sensitisation campaign is part of a nationwide effort by TCN to combat vandalism, protect the national grid, and secure uninterrupted electricity supply for Nigerians.