KEY POINTS
- Vandals removed structural components from Tower T99 on the Ughelli–Benin 330kV line, causing its collapse.
- Nearby towers T100 and T101 were also vandalized, putting the transmission corridor at risk.
- TCN is mobilizing for repairs and urges community cooperation to safeguard power infrastructure.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed that Tower T99 along the Ughelli–Benin 330kV line collapsed because of vandals on March 15, 2026. The incident occurred in Coconut Village, Effurun Local Government Area, near Warri, Delta State.
TCN revealed that vandals removed critical structural components, weakening the tower until it fell.
Engineers inspecting the site discovered that nearby towers T100 and T101 had also been vandalized but remain standing.
The acts of sabotage have raised concerns over the stability of the entire transmission corridor, highlighting the ongoing risks to Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.
Power Disruption and Recovery Efforts Underway
The collapse disrupted the evacuation of bulk electricity from Transcorp Power Plc to the national grid, potentially affecting power supply in some areas.
TCN said reconstruction of the collapsed tower and reinforcement of the damaged sections have begun, urging local communities to report suspicious activities to help protect critical infrastructure.
Neighboring Towers Also Targeted
TCN reported that nearby towers, including T100 and T101, were also vandalized but remain standing for now. These incidents have raised concerns over the structural integrity of the entire Ughelli–Benin 330kV line, a key link that transmits bulk electricity from power generation plants to distribution networks across southern Nigeria.
Experts warn that continued attacks on power infrastructure could trigger cascading power outages in major cities and industrial hubs. “Vandalism not only causes immediate outages but can also delay repairs and inflate operational costs,” said an independent energy analyst in Lagos.
