Telecom Infrastructure Under Siege: Vandalism and Theft Disrupting Nigeria’s Network Services

Telecommunication infrastructure in Nigeria is facing persistent attacks, including fibre cuts, vandalism, and theft, disrupting the network stability for millions of subscribers. Despite being classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) by the government, these attacks continue to rise, leading to increased dropped calls and weak internet connections. Airtel and MTN Nigeria, with millions of subscribers, report frequent fibre cuts daily, with significant losses recorded by telecom operators. In 2024 alone, the city of Lagos alone saw an estimated N5 billion in losses due to damaged infrastructure.

Vandalism and theft are most rampant in urban districts like Ikeja, Lekki, and Victoria Island, with areas like Alimosho and the Mainland emerging as hotspots. These disruptions have cost the telecom industry millions, with $23 million lost in 2023 alone. The damage to fibre optic cables, vital for network connectivity, results in significant service outages, as seen in the February 2024 MTN outage that left millions of customers without service for hours. The widespread theft of valuable materials from the cables also exacerbates the problem.

In response to these challenges, the Nigerian government signed a law in August 2024 to classify telecom infrastructure as a national asset under CNII. This law aims to protect telecom towers, fibre optic cables, and other infrastructure from intentional damage, with violators facing severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison for offenses causing grievous harm. However, industry leaders stress that while the policy is a step in the right direction, stricter enforcement and better coordination between government bodies are essential to addressing the issue effectively.

Telecom operators are calling for stronger policy implementation to curb vandalism and theft, highlighting the need for more practical solutions. The Federal Government has established a joint committee to ensure proper coordination during infrastructure developments, such as road construction, to prevent accidental damage to telecom networks. As the protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure becomes a priority, industry stakeholders continue to push for enhanced security measures to safeguard Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Source: Business day