The Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have issued a joint warning to construction companies, government contractors, and other operators over the rising incidents of fibre optic cable damage linked to road construction and civil works across the country.
The agencies, in a statement jointly signed by the Head of Public Affairs Department at NCC, Nnenana Ukoha, and NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said avoidable fibre cuts caused by negligence, poor coordination, or unauthorised excavation will no longer be tolerated, stressing that offenders risk prosecution as such acts now constitute criminal offences under Nigerian law.
According to the NCC and NSCDC, fibre optic infrastructure is a critical national asset that underpins Nigeria’s digital economy, enabling communication services, emergency response systems, business operations, and government activities. Any disruption to these networks, they warned, poses a direct threat to national security, economic stability, and public safety.
Fibre networks classified as critical national infrastructure
The agencies anchored their warning on the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order 2024, which classifies telecommunication fibre infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
They explained that under the order, any damage arising from unauthorised digging, construction activities, or failure to coordinate with relevant authorities during civil works amounts to a criminal offence.
The NCC and NSCDC further noted that offenders will be sanctioned in line with existing laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, adding that prosecution will apply to individuals, construction firms, and government contractors found culpable.
Agencies threaten strict enforcement and prosecution
In a categorical warning, the NCC and NSCDC said future incidents of fibre damage caused by excavation, road construction, or civil engineering works carried out without proper consultation will attract strict legal consequences.
They emphasised that increased enforcement has become necessary as fibre cuts continue to disrupt telecom services nationwide, affecting consumers, businesses, and public institutions.
- The agencies called on federal, state, and local government bodies, road construction companies, utility providers, and private developers to take proactive steps to prevent fibre damage.
- These include conducting pre construction verification of fibre routes, collaborating with telecom operators, the NCC, and NSCDC before and during construction, adhering to approved excavation and right of way guidelines, and reporting any accidental damage immediately to enable rapid response and mitigation.
- They also encouraged members of the public to report cases of fibre optic infrastructure sabotage or damage to the nearest NSCDC office or through designated hotlines and official email channels.
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