The Transmission Company of Nigeria has announced the arrest of a principal suspect following the vandalism of six transmission towers along the Yola-Jalingo 330kV Transmission Line, with part of the stolen components recovered as security agencies intensify efforts to dismantle the criminal syndicate behind the attack.
The company disclosed on Wednesday that the affected towers, identified as T995, T998, T999, T1002, T1003, and T1004, were targeted after criminals removed critical structural members from the installations, posing a severe threat to the integrity of the transmission line.
According to TCN, the incident was uncovered on July 29, 2026, during a routine patrol conducted by its engineers, who discovered that the vandals had stripped critical bracing members from the structures and carted away an estimated 130 pieces of tower members.
In a statement issued by its management, TCN said, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that six of its transmission towers, T995, T998, T999, T1002, T1003, and T1004, along the Yola-Jalingo 330kV Transmission Line have been vandalised.”
The company noted, “The incident was discovered during a routine line patrol by TCN Engineers on 29th July 2026, when it was observed that vandals had stripped critical bracing members from the affected towers, carting away an estimated 130 pieces of tower members. The act posed a severe structural threat to the towers.”
In response to the occurrence, TCN collaborated with security agencies to investigate the attack and track down the perpetrators. On July 30, 2026, TCN officials carried out a joint raid with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force within the host community, during which they met with the village head and youth leadership to demand full cooperation.
The statement added, “Following the discovery, TCN, on 30th July 2026, conducted a joint raid with the Nigeria Police Force within the host community. During the exercise, the team engaged the village head and youth leadership, demanding their full cooperation in identifying and producing the perpetrators.”
A major breakthrough was recorded on August 1, 2026, when the police informed TCN that a principal suspect linked to the crime had been apprehended and a portion of the stolen tower components recovered. TCN officials subsequently visited the recovery site to verify the items and called for the prosecution of the suspect.
The company stated, “On August 1st, 2026, the Police notified TCN that a principal suspect linked to the vandalism had been apprehended, and that a portion of the stolen tower members had been recovered. TCN officials visited the site to verify the recovered materials and reiterated the call for the full prosecution of the suspect to ensure justice is served.”
It added, “The Police have obtained solid leads from the suspect in custody and remain committed to tracking down the remaining members of the syndicate. Investigations are ongoing.”
Condemning the persistent destruction of power infrastructure, TCN warned that such criminal acts undermine years of investment in the sector and jeopardize the stability of electricity supply across the country.
The company stated, “We strongly condemn the continued vandalism of power transmission infrastructure as it undermines years of investment in the sector.”
TCN further urged host communities and the general public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements near grid installations to law enforcement agents or the nearest TCN office, stating, “We appeal to host communities and the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around transmission installations to security agencies or the nearest TCN office. Collective action is essential to protect national grid assets and ensure reliable power supply.”
In another development, the Federal Government has assured public servants that the outstanding N35,000 monthly wage award will be paid before the middle of August 2026, while promotion arrears are being processed to address concerns raised by organised labour over delayed welfare commitments.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, gave the assurance during a meeting in Abuja with the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Trade Side, led by its National President, Kabiru Ado Minjibir.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Efe Ovuakporie, stated, “The Federal Government has assured public servants that the outstanding wage award will be paid before the middle of August, while promotion arrears are being processed as part of ongoing efforts to fulfil its commitments to workers.”
Oyedele explained that the administration had already initiated steps to resolve several issues raised by the unions prior to receiving formal communication, affirming that President Bola Tinubu remains dedicated to honoring agreements made with workers.
The minister stated, “When the government makes commitments, it delivers. We are not in the habit of making promises that cannot be fulfilled. Where there are outstanding issues, we will give realistic timelines and ensure they are implemented.”
He disclosed that approval processes for the fund release were nearing completion, expressing confidence that eligible public servants would receive their payments shortly.
Oyedele noted, “The necessary release for payment of the outstanding wage award is being concluded, and we are confident that eligible public servants will begin receiving the payment before the middle of the month.”
He added, “Our objective is to build a system where issues are resolved proactively. We want workers to have confidence that once government gives its word, it will honour that commitment.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omachi, pledged closer working relations with organised labour to prevent administrative delays in disbursing entitlements, stating, “The ministry will continue to engage relevant government institutions to fast-track the resolution of outstanding labour issues, stressing that constructive dialogue remains the most effective path to sustaining industrial harmony,”.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, disclosed that Batch 7 promotion arrears, which were omitted during a previous payment phase, were being processed alongside Batch 9. He added that efforts were underway with relevant agencies to resolve issues surrounding the payment of the 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance and other pending claims.
Providing further details on the payment timeline, the Director of Cash Management, Christiana Osho, confirmed that reconciliation for the outstanding wage award had been completed and that disbursement would commence immediately after the final release is authorized.
Earlier, the President of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Kabiru Ado Minjibir, called on the Federal Government to accelerate action on workers' entitlements, emphasizing that resolving outstanding wage awards, promotion arrears, and salary relativity for health workers would boost morale and maintain industrial peace.
President Bola Tinubu had in October 2023 approved a N35,000 monthly provisional wage award for federal workers as a temporary relief measure following the removal of the petrol subsidy. Although payments commenced in late 2023, implementation encountered delays, leaving several months unpaid.
In April 2025, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation announced that the remaining five months would be settled in N35,000 installments. The first tranche was paid in May 2025, followed by a second tranche in August 2025.
The latest assurance comes after the council sought an urgent meeting with the minister on or before August 11 to address two months of unpaid wage awards and the 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance.
In a letter signed by the National Secretary of the council, Gbenga Olowoyo, on behalf of the National Chairman, Benjamin Yanto, the union stated, “The national leadership expects that this meeting will help to address the above-stated outstanding issues to prevent palpable disquiet and the brewing industrial crisis.”
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