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By Correspondent.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have issued a stern warning to construction companies, contractors and other stakeholders over the rising incidents of damage to fibre-optic cables, declaring that offenders now risk prosecution, as such acts constitute criminal offences.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja and signed by Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Head of the Public Affairs Department of the NCC, and ACC Babawale Afolabi, National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, the agencies said the persistent destruction of fibre infrastructure during road construction and other civil works would no longer be tolerated.
They stressed that negligence, poor coordination or wilful damage to telecommunications assets poses serious risks to national development and security.
The regulators described fibre-optic cables as critical national assets that underpin Nigeria’s digital economy, enable seamless communication, support emergency response services, facilitate business operations and enhance effective government service delivery.
According to the two agencies, any disruption to these vital networks threatens national security, economic stability and public safety.
They noted that under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order, 2024, telecommunications fibre infrastructure has been formally classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
As a result, any damage arising from unauthorised excavation, construction activities or failure to engage relevant authorities during project execution now constitutes a criminal offence.
The statement further warned that individuals, construction firms, government contractors and utility service providers found culpable of damaging fibre-optic infrastructure would be prosecuted and sanctioned in line with existing laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The NCC and NSCDC issued a categorical warning that future damage to fibre-optic facilities caused by excavation, road construction or civil engineering activities carried out without due consultation and collaboration with network operators and regulators would attract strict legal consequences.
To curb the growing incidence of fibre cuts, the agencies urged federal, state and local government authorities, road construction firms, utility providers and private developers to conduct pre-construction verification of fibre routes.
They also advised stakeholders to collaborate closely with the NCC, telecommunications operators and the NSCDC before and during project execution, adhere strictly to approved excavation and right-of-way management guidelines, and promptly report any accidental damage for swift mitigation.
The agencies further called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected acts of sabotage or damage to fibre-optic infrastructure to the nearest NSCDC office or through protect@ncc.gov.ng, cipu@nscdc.gov.ng, or the 622 toll-free line.
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