TCN foils attempted theft at Bauchi substation, recovers stolen materials
TCN foils attempted theft at Bauchi substation, recovers stolen materials
By Onu Okorie
Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN successfully thwarted an attempted theft at its 330/132kV transmission substation in Bauchi on Friday night, after alert security personnel disrupted a group of suspected vandals targeting critical infrastructure.
According to the company, the incident occurred at approximately 9:34pm on July 24, when guards on duty at the substation caught the suspects in the act of dismantling tower members. The intruders abandoned the operation and fled as soon as they noticed the security team approaching.
A subsequent sweep of the area turned up a cache of evidence left behind in the suspects’ hasty retreat. Security personnel recovered 12 transmission tower angle irons, a heavy-duty metal measuring scale, and a white pickup truck suspected of being used to transport the stolen materials.
All recovered items, including the vehicle, have since been handed over to the Railway Division Police Station in Bauchi as investigations into the incident continue.
TCN confirmed that no equipment was successfully carted away by the suspects and that no injuries were recorded during the confrontation.
In a statement, the company praised its security detail for their swift and effective response, crediting their vigilance with preventing what could have resulted in significant damage to, or loss of, transmission infrastructure serving the region.
TCN also used the opportunity to renew its appeal to communities living near power installations, urging residents to promptly report any suspicious activity around such facilities to security agencies or the nearest TCN office.
