The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have issued a stern warning to construction companies, contractors and other stakeholders over the growing incidence of fibre-optic cable damage linked to road construction and civil works across the country.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the agencies said avoidable fibre cuts resulting from negligence, poor coordination or unauthorised excavation would no longer be excused, stressing that offenders risk prosecution because such acts now constitute a criminal offence.
The NCC and NSCDC described fibre-optic cables as critical national assets that underpin Nigeria’s digital economy, power communication networks, support emergency services, connect businesses and enable government operations. They warned that damage to this infrastructure poses a direct threat to national security, economic stability and public safety.
According to the agencies, under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024, telecommunications fibre infrastructure has been formally classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure. As a result, any damage arising from unauthorised digging, construction activities or failure to coordinate with relevant authorities during civil works amounts to a criminal offence.
They further cautioned that individuals, construction firms or government contractors found culpable would face prosecution and applicable sanctions under existing laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
“The NCC and NSCDC hereby issue a categorical warning that future damage to fibre-optic infrastructure caused by excavation, road construction or any civil engineering activity conducted without due consultation or collaboration with network operators and relevant regulators will attract strict legal consequences,” the statement said.
To prevent further incidents, the agencies called on federal, state and local government bodies, road construction companies, utility service providers and private developers to ensure full compliance with established procedures. These include conducting pre-construction verification of fibre routes, collaborating with the NCC, telecom operators and the 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.
Members of the public were also encouraged to report suspected sabotage or damage to fibre-optic infrastructure to the nearest NSCDC office or through designated channels, including protect@ncc.gov.ng
, cipu@nscdc.gov.ng
or the 622 toll-free line.
