In response to the increasing damage to fibre-optic cables during road construction and other civil works, the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have jointly issued a warning to contractors, developers, and public agencies.
- In response to the increasing damage to fibre-optic cables during road construction and other civil works, the Nigerian Communications Commission...
- According to the warning, negligence will no longer be tolerated, and offenders will be prosecuted.
- The statement underscored the importance of safeguarding the fibre-optic infrastructure as a national asset, as it is the foundation of...
- Consequently, any damage resulting from unauthorised digging, construction activities, or failure to collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent damage during...
Keep reading for the full breakdown on Critical National Information Infrastructure — everything you need to know is covered below.
According to the warning, negligence will no longer be tolerated, and offenders will be prosecuted.
The warning was issued in a joint statement released on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, ACC Babawole Afolabi, and the Head of the Public Affairs Department of the NCC, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha.
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Threat of fibre-optic cable cut
According to regulators, the increasing number of avoidable fibre cuts nationwide poses a significant threat to public safety, economic stability, and national security. The regulators also underscored that current legislation treats such damage as a criminal offence.
The statement underscored the importance of safeguarding the fibre-optic infrastructure as a national asset, as it is the foundation of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have warned against fibre-optic cable damage during road construction and related civil works across the country, as the rising incidents of avoidable fibre cuts resulting from negligence will no longer be excused, noting that offenders risk prosecution as the act constitutes a crime.”
Consequences of fibre-optic cable cut
They added that the destruction of such infrastructure, whether through negligence, poor coordination, or deliberate action, had far-reaching consequences for the country.
According to regulators, recent incidents indicate that many fibre cuts occur during excavation, road construction, and other civil engineering activities conducted without proper consultation or adherence to approved guidelines.
The NCC and NSCDC anchored their warning on the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order 2024, which classifies telecommunications fibre infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
The statement read, “Under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order 2024, telecommunication fibre infrastructure is classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure. Consequently, any damage resulting from unauthorised digging, construction activities, or failure to collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent damage during construction constitutes a criminal offence.”
Offenders to face prosecution
They also cautioned that anyone who caused damage to fibre-optic infrastructure, including individuals, construction companies, and government contractors, would be prosecuted and penalised under applicable laws.
The authorities specifically emphasised the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 as a legal tool to combat offenders.
The NCC and NSCDC categorically warned that future incidents would face strict legal consequences, without exception.
The regulators urged federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as road construction firms, utility service providers, and private developers, to adhere to established procedures before commencing any civil works.
Stakeholders urged to conduct pre-construction verification
Before and during construction, stakeholders were encouraged to conduct pre-construction verification of fibre routes, collaborate with the NCC, telecom operators, and the NSCDC, adhere strictly to approved excavation and right-of-way guidelines, and promptly report any accidental damage to facilitate rapid response and mitigation.
The statement also encouraged the public to help protect telecom infrastructure by reporting instances of fibre-optic damage or sabotage.
MTN fibre cuts report
Techpression recently reported that Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, MTN, revealed its network suffered 9,218 fibre cuts in 2025, underscoring continuing flaws in the country’s telecom infrastructure. Theft and vandalism had impacted 211 sites by the end of November, further straining service dependability.
CEO Karl Olutokun Toriola highlighted the difficulties of maintaining a robust digital network in a LinkedIn post titled “MTN Nigeria 2025 Wrapped,” pointing out that any disturbance disrupts services that millions of Nigerians depend on daily.
The data is consistent with findings from the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Uptime webpage, which showed that in December 2025, Nigerian telecom operators reported 118 network outages, with MTN accounting for the largest share at 64. Numerous factors, such as bushfires, power outages, fibre cuts, and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, were blamed for the disruptions.