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 related civil works across the country.
The agencies said incidents of avoidable fibre cuts resulting from negligence would no longer be excused, stressing that offenders risk prosecution as such actions constitute criminal offences.
In a joint statement, the NCC and NSCDC described fibre-optic cables as critical national assets that power Nigeria’s digital economy, support emergency services, enable business operations and facilitate government communications.
They warned that damage to such infrastructure, whether through negligence, poor coordination or deliberate acts, poses a serious threat to national security, economic stability and public safety.
The agencies noted that under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024, telecommunications fibre infrastructure has been classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
As a result, any damage arising from unauthorised excavation, construction activities or failure to collaborate with relevant authorities during civil works amounts to a criminal offence.
They cautioned that individuals, construction firms and government contractors found liable for damaging fibre-optic infrastructure would face prosecution and appropriate sanctions in line with existing laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
The NCC and NSCDC further warned that future incidents of fibre damage caused by excavation, road construction or other civil engineering activities carried out without due consultation with network operators and regulators would attract strict legal consequences.
The agencies called on federal, state and local government bodies, road construction companies, utility service providers and private developers to ensure full compliance by verifying fibre routes before construction, collaborating with the NCC, telecom operators and NSCDC during project execution, adhering to approved excavation and right-of-way guidelines, and promptly reporting any accidental damage for swift mitigation.
Members of the public are also encouraged to report acts of fibre-optic infrastructure sabotage or damage to the nearest NSCDC office, or through the designated email addresses and toll-free line provided by the agencies.
