Residents across parts of Adamawa and Taraba states have been plunged into darkness after suspected vandals destroyed six transmission towers belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) along the Yola–Jalingo 330kV transmission line.

The affected towers, identified as T995, T998, T999, T1002, T1003 and T1004, were discovered during a routine patrol by TCN engineers, who found that critical structural components had been removed, severely compromising the integrity of the transmission infrastructure.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said the vandals carted away about 130 tower bracing members, leaving the towers at risk of collapse and disrupting electricity supply along the Yola–Jalingo axis.

According to her, the damage was uncovered during a routine inspection of the transmission line, prompting the company to immediately launch a joint operation with the Nigeria Police Force in the affected host community.

Mbah said the security team met with the village head and youth leaders, urging them to cooperate fully with authorities by identifying and exposing those responsible for the attack on the critical national asset.

She disclosed that on August 1, 2026, the police informed TCN that a principal suspect linked to the vandalism had been arrested, while part of the stolen transmission tower components had been recovered.

She added that TCN officials subsequently visited the location where the recovered materials were kept to verify them and renewed their call for the suspect to face full prosecution.

According to the TCN spokesperson, investigators have also obtained useful intelligence from the arrested suspect, with security operatives intensifying efforts to apprehend other members of the vandalism syndicate.

Mbah condemned the repeated attacks on power transmission infrastructure, warning that such acts threaten electricity supply and undermine huge investments made in expanding and strengthening Nigeria’s power network.

She appealed to residents of host communities and the general public to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious activities around transmission facilities to security agencies or the nearest TCN office.

“Collective action is essential to protect national grid assets and ensure reliable power supply,” she said.