TCN Warns Aba Residents Against Vandalism, RoW Encroachment

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised the alarm over the vandalism of power transmission infrastructure and encroachment on its Right of Way (RoW) in Aba, Abia State.

The TCN Port Harcourt Region issued the warning during a community awareness campaign held on August 28, 2026, in Alaoji, Aba, within Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of the state.

The campaign was organised to educate residents and community leaders on the dangers of tampering with transmission facilities and constructing buildings within designated transmission corridors.

Speaking during the engagement, Assistant General Manager, Aba Sub-Region, Engr. Juliet Ndi Ukomadu, said repeated vandalism of TCN earthing wires, cables and tower members had become a serious threat to the stability of the transmission network.

She explained that the removal or destruction of critical components could weaken transmission structures and trigger cascading tower collapses, potentially affecting several towers at once.

Ukomadu urged residents, traditional leaders and youth groups to take an active role in protecting the infrastructure in their communities and to report suspicious activities around transmission installations.

She also warned residents against erecting structures under transmission lines or within the prescribed Right of Way, stressing the safety risks associated with such developments.

The Head of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Etang Edike, assured the communities that security agencies would take action against anyone found vandalising TCN facilities.

Edike disclosed that the NSCDC had deployed a dedicated patrol vehicle and six armed personnel to respond to reports of attacks on critical infrastructure.

“The Civil Defence has stationed a dedicated patrol vehicle and six armed personnel ready to be deployed to any location upon call to apprehend vandals,” he said.

He called on residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements around transmission installations to security agencies.

Edike also encouraged community members to provide information that could assist in preventing attacks on the facilities, stressing that those apprehended for vandalism would face the law.

The campaign also received the support of traditional authorities in the area.

The traditional ruler of Ekiti Akoma Ngwa Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Elder Promise Oguibe, assured TCN of the community’s commitment to protecting transmission infrastructure passing through its territory.

Participants drawn from communities around the affected installations also pledged to cooperate with TCN and security agencies to prevent vandalism and other activities capable of disrupting electricity transmission.

TCN said continued community involvement remained essential to protecting critical power infrastructure, particularly as vandalism and encroachment pose risks not only to electricity supply but also to public safety.