The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have issued a stern warning to construction companies, government contractors and other stakeholders over the rising incidence of fibre-optic cable damage during road construction and other civil works across the country.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the two agencies said avoidable fibre cuts resulting from negligence, poor coordination or wilful actions would no longer be tolerated, stressing that offenders risk prosecution as such acts constitute criminal offences under Nigerian law.
The joint statement was signed by Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, Head of the Public Affairs Department of the NCC, and Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC.
The NCC and NSCDC described fibre-optic infrastructure as a critical national asset that underpins Nigeria’s digital economy, enables seamless communication, supports emergency services, connects businesses and facilitates government operations. They warned that damage to these assets poses a direct threat to national security, economic stability and public safety.
According to the agencies, telecommunications fibre infrastructure has been formally designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order 2024. As a result, any damage arising from unauthorised excavation, construction activities or failure to coordinate with relevant authorities before and during construction is deemed a criminal offence.
“Under existing laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, individuals, construction companies or government contractors found liable for damaging fibre-optic infrastructure will face prosecution and applicable sanctions,” the statement said.
The NCC and NSCDC issued what they described as a “categorical warning” that future damage to fibre-optic infrastructure caused by excavation, road construction or other civil engineering activities carried out without due consultation or collaboration with network operators and regulators would attract strict legal consequences.
They called on federal, state and local government agencies, road construction firms, utility service providers and private developers to take concrete preventive measures. These include conducting pre-construction verification of fibre routes, collaborating with the NCC, telecom operators and the NSCDC before and during construction, adhering strictly to approved excavation and right-of-way guidelines, and promptly reporting any accidental damage to enable rapid response and mitigation.
The agencies also urged members of the public to report any act of fibre-optic infrastructure sabotage or damage to the nearest NSCDC office. Reports can also be made via email to protect@ncc.gov.ng or cipu@nscdc.gov.ng, or through the 622 toll-free line.
