By Gabriel Ameh
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have raised serious concerns over the growing incidents of fibre optic cable cuts and damage across the country, describing the trend as a threat to Nigeria’s critical national infrastructure and digital economy.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, both agencies warned construction firms, utility providers, and relevant government bodies to immediately desist from activities that result in the destruction of telecommunications infrastructure.
Afolabi noted that the increasing cases of avoidable fibre cuts, largely attributed to negligence and lack of coordination during excavation and construction works, will no longer be tolerated. He stressed that offenders would be prosecuted, as such actions now constitute criminal offences under Nigerian law.
He explained that fibre optic cables serve as the backbone of Nigeria’s telecommunications network, powering digital connectivity, supporting emergency services, enabling business operations, and facilitating government services nationwide. Any damage to this infrastructure, whether deliberate or accidental, poses significant risks to national security, economic stability, and public safety.
Citing the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024, Afolabi emphasized that telecommunications fibre infrastructure has been officially classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure. As such, any damage resulting from unauthorized excavation, construction activities, or failure to coordinate with relevant authorities is punishable under the law, including provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
The NCC and NSCDC warned that individuals, construction companies, and government contractors responsible for damaging fibre infrastructure would face strict legal sanctions.
The agencies further stated that future incidents of fibre damage arising from road construction, civil engineering works, or excavation carried out without proper consultation with telecom operators and regulators would attract swift enforcement actions.
They called on federal, state, and local government agencies, road construction firms, utility providers, and private developers to ensure compliance by conducting pre-construction verification of fibre routes, collaborating with the NCC, telecom operators, and NSCDC before and during construction, and adhering strictly to approved excavation and right-of-way guidelines.
The agencies also urged the public to report any act of fibre optic vandalism or accidental damage to the nearest NSCDC office, or through the designated channels: protect@ncc.gov.ng, cipu@nscdc.gov.ng, or the toll-free line 622.
