TCN Sensitises Ebonyi Communities on Protecting Power Infrastructure

Oru Leonard 

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has intensified efforts to protect critical power infrastructure in Ebonyi State through a community sensitisation campaign aimed at curbing vandalism, illegal construction and other activities threatening transmission facilities.

The awareness programme, conducted by TCN’s Enugu Region in Umuhuali, Ezillo and Nkalagu communities on June 18, 2026, focused on strengthening collaboration between the company and host communities to safeguard electricity installations.

Speaking during the exercise, the General Manager (Transmission), Enugu Region, Dr. Thomas Inugonum, highlighted key concerns requiring urgent community action. These include vandalism of 330kV and 132kV transmission lines, illegal structures erected within TCN’s Right of Way (RoW), excavation of soil around tower foundations, farming and trading beneath high-voltage lines, and the burning of waste materials under transmission corridors.

According to him, similar sensitisation campaigns previously carried out in parts of Benue and Enugu states produced encouraging results, expressing optimism that the Ebonyi communities would also support efforts to protect the national grid.

Dr. Inugonum recalled a fatal incident in Ezillo where a suspected vandal was electrocuted while attempting to tamper with Tower 34 on the Nkalagu-Abakaliki 132kV transmission line. He also revealed that two suspected vandals were arrested on May 9, 2026, following the dismantling of critical components from transmission towers along the same line.

He lamented that transmission tower parts worth millions of naira are often stolen and sold cheaply to illegal scrap dealers, warning that such acts undermine power supply and national development.

The TCN official urged residents to remain vigilant, collaborate with security agencies and promptly report suspicious activities around transmission installations through designated channels.

As part of the engagement, the TCN management team paid a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of Umuhuali Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Patrick Nwafor Udoku, who assured the company of the community’s commitment to protecting power infrastructure and preventing encroachment on transmission corridors.

Also speaking, the President General of Ezza Umuhuali Town Union, Hon. Solomon Nweke, credited the recent arrest of suspected vandals to the vigilance of local security operatives and community leaders.

Describing attacks on electricity infrastructure as a threat to the nation’s economy and public safety, Nweke called for sustained engagement between TCN and host communities, as well as greater support for grassroots surveillance initiatives.

The sensitisation exercise ended with community representatives pledging continued cooperation with TCN and security agencies to ensure the protection of transmission facilities serving Ebonyi State and the country.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has intensified efforts to protect critical power infrastructure in Ebonyi State through a community sensitisation campaign aimed at curbing vandalism, illegal construction and other activities threatening transmission facilities.

The awareness programme, conducted by TCN’s Enugu Region in Umuhuali, Ezillo and Nkalagu communities on June 18, 2026, focused on strengthening collaboration between the company and host communities to safeguard electricity installations.

Speaking during the exercise, the General Manager (Transmission), Enugu Region, Dr. Thomas Inugonum, highlighted key concerns requiring urgent community action. These include vandalism of 330kV and 132kV transmission lines, illegal structures erected within TCN’s Right of Way (RoW), excavation of soil around tower foundations, farming and trading beneath high-voltage lines, and the burning of waste materials under transmission corridors.

According to him, similar sensitisation campaigns previously carried out in parts of Benue and Enugu states produced encouraging results, expressing optimism that the Ebonyi communities would also support efforts to protect the national grid.

Dr. Inugonum recalled a fatal incident in Ezillo where a suspected vandal was electrocuted while attempting to tamper with Tower 34 on the Nkalagu-Abakaliki 132kV transmission line. He also revealed that two suspected vandals were arrested on May 9, 2026, following the dismantling of critical components from transmission towers along the same line.

He lamented that transmission tower parts worth millions of naira are often stolen and sold cheaply to illegal scrap dealers, warning that such acts undermine power supply and national development.

The TCN official urged residents to remain vigilant, collaborate with security agencies and promptly report suspicious activities around transmission installations through designated channels.

As part of the engagement, the TCN management team paid a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of Umuhuali Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Patrick Nwafor Udoku, who assured the company of the community’s commitment to protecting power infrastructure and preventing encroachment on transmission corridors.

Also speaking, the President General of Ezza Umuhuali Town Union, Hon. Solomon Nweke, credited the recent arrest of suspected vandals to the vigilance of local security operatives and community leaders.

Describing attacks on electricity infrastructure as a threat to the nation’s economy and public safety, Nweke called for sustained engagement between TCN and host communities, as well as greater support for grassroots surveillance initiatives.

The sensitisation exercise ended with community representatives pledging continued cooperation with TCN and security agencies to ensure the protection of transmission facilities serving Ebonyi State and the country.