Despite the Executive Order on the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure signed by President Bola Tinubu on June 24, 2024, making it a crime to damage or interfere with designated Information and Communications Technology systems and networks, cases of vandalism and theft of telecom infrastructure have continued across the country.
The order was introduced to address increasing cyber threats and physical attacks on telecom assets, which have caused significant economic losses and widespread service disruptions.
According to the Nigerian Communications Commission, incidents reported by mobile network operators this year show an average of 1,100 fibre cuts, 545 cases of access denial, and 99 theft incidents weekly. These disruptions have been identified as major causes of degraded service quality and frequent downtime experienced by subscribers. NCC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Amnu Maida, explained that “significant causative factors for service downtime is due to denial of access to sites which prevents required site operations and maintenance tasks from being carried out; vandalism and cuts to fibre infrastructure as well as theft of both site equipment, cables and diesel are also major challenges.”
The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria has described vandalism of telecom infrastructure as “economic sabotage” and a direct threat to Nigeria’s digital economy and national security. The association has raised concerns over increasing theft, damages caused by civil works, and the existence of a black market for stolen components, calling for stricter penalties, improved coordination, and greater public awareness to protect critical national assets. ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, stressed that vandalism undermines the “lifeline of the digital economy,” noting its severe impact on service delivery and national stability. He added that beyond deliberate sabotage, accidental damage from uncoordinated road and civil projects has compounded the problem.
Adebayo also highlighted the broader impacts of the menace, warning that the issue of willing buyers and willing sellers sustains the black market for stolen equipment such as cables, batteries, and solar panels. He called for a crackdown on these illegal markets, improved law enforcement capacity, and stronger protective measures by operators themselves, saying, “Operators must lead by example by improving basic protective measures at sites, like fences and locks.”
Supporting these concerns, Director of Administration Operations at IHS, Mr. Sadisu Jubrin, emphasized that stronger protection mechanisms are critical to achieving a resilient digital economy. He noted that legislation alone cannot resolve the persistent attacks, advocating for a holistic approach that combines public sensitisation, technology-driven monitoring, and partnerships with security agencies and communities. Jubrin explained that IHS Nigeria has launched a joint national advocacy campaign with the NCC on radio and digital platforms to educate host communities about the dangers of vandalism and how damage to infrastructure disrupts daily activities such as access to finance through Point of Sale terminals.
He stressed the importance of empowering locals to act as the first line of defence, explaining that when communities understand how stolen batteries or fibre negatively affect their livelihoods, they are more likely to protect installations. To strengthen physical security, Jubrin revealed that IHS Nigeria has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to enhance site surveillance, improve emergency response, and ensure prosecution of offenders. He further stated that IHS uses remote monitoring and Artificial Intelligence for real-time detection of unauthorised access, prediction of maintenance needs, and reduction of physical site visits.
Jubrin also disclosed that IHS has launched community protection programmes around key hub sites to instill local ownership and provide employment opportunities. He announced that the company has partnered with G4S to deploy 650 rapid response patrol vehicles nationwide, each connected directly to the network operations centre for swift action in the event of an attack.
Both ALTON and IHS called on operators, regulators, security agencies, and citizens to fully implement the Executive Order without delay. They stressed that unless stricter penalties are enforced and black markets dismantled, vandalism will continue to threaten the telecom sector and undermine the nation’s digital economy.
