The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have joined forces to curb the rising destruction of fibre optic infrastructure across the country.
The agencies are warning that individuals, construction firms, and government contractors responsible for damaging telecom fibre assets will face prosecution under existing laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
The collaboration, NCC and sister law enforcer, NCCDC say, reflects growing concern within government that repeated fibre cuts, largely caused by uncoordinated road construction, excavation, and civil engineering activities, are undermining Nigeria’s digital economy, disrupting broadband services, and exposing critical communications infrastructure to security risks.
Fibre optic cables form the backbone of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, supporting mobile and internet connectivity, emergency response systems, business operations, financial services, and government platforms. Yet the infrastructure has increasingly been compromised by avoidable damage during construction projects carried out without engagement with telecom operators or regulators.
Nigeria’s fibre optic cables ‘compromised by avoidable damage’
Fibre optic cables form the backbone of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, supporting mobile and internet connectivity, emergency response systems, business operations, financial services, and government platforms. Yet the infrastructure has increasingly been compromised by avoidable damage during construction projects carried out without engagement with telecom operators or regulators.
“The destruction of fibre optic cables, whether through negligence, lack of coordination, or wilful actions, poses a direct threat to national security, economic stability, and public safety,” the agencies said in a joint warning.
The NCC and NSCDC anchored their enforcement stance on the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024, which formally classifies telecommunications fibre infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure. Under the Order, damage to such assets is no longer treated as a routine civil matter but as a criminal offence with national security implications.
“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,” the agencies stated.
By aligning regulatory oversight with security enforcement, the NCC and NSCDC aim to close long-standing gaps that have allowed fibre damage to persist with limited accountability. The agencies warned that going forward, any fibre cuts linked to excavation, road works, or other civil engineering activities undertaken without due consultation will attract strict legal sanctions.
To stem further disruption to digital services, the agencies urged federal, state, and local government authorities, construction companies, utility providers, and private developers to carry out pre-construction verification of fibre routes, collaborate with network operators and regulators before and during construction, comply with approved excavation and right-of-way guidelines, and promptly report any accidental damage.
Members of the public were also encouraged to report cases of fibre optic infrastructure damage or sabotage to the nearest NSCDC office or through designated NCC and NSCDC reporting channels, as authorities intensify efforts to protect Nigeria’s critical digital assets.
Home
