Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has raised alarms over a sharp increase in infrastructure-related sabotage across the telecom sector.
Weekly, operators like MTN, Airtel, and 9mobile now experience an average of 1,100 fibre cuts, according to NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida.
Speaking at the Critical National Information Infrastructure and Sustainability Conference in Lagos, Dr. Maida, represented by Edoyemi Ogoh, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, painted a grim picture of rising threats to telecom service reliability and national security.
“These are not just numbers. They reflect a national emergency. Every fibre cut, every theft, and every case of sabotage contributes to dropped calls, failed transactions, interrupted emergency services, and economic losses,” Maida warned.
He explained that, beyond fibre cuts, telecom operators also report about 545 access denials and 99 thefts each week, which together disrupt essential services and economic activities.
Recognising the gravity of the issue, President Bola Tinubu has designated telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) under the Cybersecurity Act, obligating national stakeholders to ensure its protection.
To combat the rising sabotage, the NCC has introduced a combination of technical standards enforcement, strategic communication, and security collaboration. It is intensifying its monitoring of fibre-laying and tower construction protocols while also launching public awareness campaigns through radio, social media, and multimedia channels.
“We are ensuring Nigerians understand that damage to telecom infrastructure affects not just big companies, but ordinary people who depend on mobile services, ATMs, hospitals, and emergency alerts,” Maida emphasised.
Additionally, the Commission is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser to better align telecom infrastructure protection with the country’s broader security objectives.
During the event, ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo urged telecom operators to adopt stronger internal safeguards.
He criticised operators who failed to implement basic security measures such as perimeter fencing, locks, or surveillance systems.
He added that the black market for telecom hardware—including batteries, generators, and cables—has emboldened saboteurs.
“Some of these thefts are carried out by insiders who know the system. The ease of selling stolen equipment in local markets makes it worse,” he said.
He demanded tougher law enforcement and prosecutions for those caught with stolen infrastructure.
On his part, NITRA Chairman Chike Onwuegbuchi called for the creation of a Telecom Infrastructure Protection Trust Fund, modelled after Nigeria’s security trust fund, to finance the sector’s protection needs.
He stressed that educating host communities about the impact of vandalism is key to reducing incidents and maintaining access to critical services such as banking, communication, and emergency