A suspected electricity infrastructure vandal has died after being trapped beneath a collapsed transmission tower along the 330kV Ughelli–Benin power line in Delta State.
The incident came to light during a routine patrol by the Delta Sub-Region of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)’s Lines Maintenance Department. The inspection was launched after the Ughelli–Benin 330kV transmission line experienced an earth fault, causing the line to trip.
According to a statement issued by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), maintenance personnel traced the fault to Tower 101, where they discovered that the structure had collapsed.
During the inspection, the team found the body of a suspected vandal trapped and crushed beneath sections of the fallen tower.
TCN also disclosed that Tower 101 on the neighbouring Ughelli–Sapele 330kV transmission line had been vandalised, raising fresh concerns over persistent attacks on critical power infrastructure.
The company did not immediately provide further details on the identity of the deceased but reiterated the need to protect electricity installations from acts of vandalism, warning that such activities endanger lives and threaten the stability of the nation’s power supply.
