As Nigeria continues to battle the menace of power infrastructure vandalism, the recent heroic action of residents in Watuolo village, Benue State, serves as a crucial reminder of the role communities must play in protecting the facilities that serve them.
On Saturday, suspected vandals targeted Tower T195 along the Ugwuaji–Makurdi 330KV transmission line in Ado Local Government Area. However, their mission was thwarted by vigilant community members who noticed suspicious activity around the tower at about 3 a.m. Acting swiftly, the residents apprehended one of the suspects while the others fled, handing him over to the police.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in a statement on Thursday through its General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, commended the community’s swift intervention. She urged other host communities to take ownership of safeguarding critical infrastructure, emphasizing that their vigilance is key to preventing widespread power disruptions.
“As we continue to work with security operatives and host communities against vandalism, we appeal for more vigilance by residents, who are very critical in this fight,” Mbah stated.
With repeated incidents of power infrastructure sabotage crippling electricity supply in parts of the country, experts warn that communities must become active stakeholders in protecting national assets. The Watuolo village example highlights how local action can prevent the costly consequences of vandalism and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for all.
