Vandal Crushed to Death Under Collapsed 330kV Transmission Tower in Delta

A suspected vandal was crushed to death after a 330kV transmission tower collapsed while he was allegedly tampering with it along the Ughelli-Benin transmission line in Delta State.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed this in a statement signed by its management on Saturday, August 8, 2026, saying the body was discovered during an intensive patrol by its linesmen.

The patrol was launched after the Ughelli-Benin 330kV transmission line tripped on an earth fault, prompting the Delta Sub-Region Lines Maintenance Department to trace the cause of the fault.

According to TCN, the patrol team traced the fault to Tower 101, which had collapsed, where it found the suspected vandal’s body trapped among the fallen tower members.

Further inspection revealed that Tower 101 on the adjacent Ughelli-Sapele 330kV transmission line had also been severely vandalised.

TCN said the second tower remained standing as of the time of the report, but warned that the damage posed a serious threat to the transmission infrastructure.

The company condemned the vandalism and called on host communities and members of the public to remain vigilant around electricity infrastructure.

It urged anyone who notices suspicious activity around transmission towers and other power installations to report immediately to security agencies or the nearest TCN office.

TCN stressed that combating vandalism of electricity infrastructure required the collective efforts of communities, security agencies and other stakeholders.

“The fight against the vandalism of power infrastructure is one that must be inclusive. All hands must be on deck for this fight to be won,” the company stated.

The incident, it added, highlighted the dangers associated with tampering with transmission infrastructure, noting that vandalism could result not only in power outages and damage to national assets but also loss of lives.

TCN urged Nigerians to treat the protection of electricity infrastructure as a civic responsibility, warning that acts of vandalism ultimately affect electricity supply to communities.

The company said the incident should serve as a warning to those involved in the destruction or theft of transmission equipment, as well as a reminder to communities to help safeguard critical power assets.