Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is facing a critical threat as a surge in vandalism and theft of vital infrastructure sweeps across the country, endangering national connectivity, security, and the massive investments committed to strengthening the industry’s backbone.

Telecom operators, under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), have sounded the alarm over the growing frequency and intensity of attacks on telecom assets, particularly in states such as Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Edo, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kaduna, Niger, Osun, and Kwara. These states, the operators warn, are fast becoming epicentres of telecom infrastructure sabotage.

In a statement jointly signed by  Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON,and Damian Udeh, the publicity secretary,the association warned that this rising tide of vandalism is undermining efforts to improve network coverage and quality of service across Nigeria. 

The association emphasised that telecom infrastructure is officially designated by the Federal Government as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), a classification that highlights its strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy, national security, and the uninterrupted delivery of essential public services. 

As such, the destruction or theft of telecommunications equipment is not a trivial offence; it is an act that strikes at the core of Nigeria’s digital backbone. Recognising the gravity of such threats, the Federal Government made it clear that vandals targeting telecom infrastructure risk up to 10 years in jail under Nigerian law, a measure aimed at deterring saboteurs.

According to ALTON, the industry is currently undergoing a transformative phase, with operators undertaking unprecedented levels of investment in network optimisation, modernisation, and expansion. These efforts include the deployment of advanced systems, revamping of power equipment, and the ongoing laying and extension of thousands of kilometres of fibre optic cable — infrastructure that forms the digital backbone of Nigeria’s communications network.

“Since the Federal Government’s decisive interventions earlier this year to support industry sustainability, our members have made landmark investments to expand capacity and improve service quality,” the statement noted. “However, these gains are being severely undermined by a disturbing surge in vandalism.”

Between May and July 2025, ALTON reported multiple incidents of vandalism targeting telecom cell sites across states like Rivers, Ogun, Osun, Imo, Kogi, Ekiti, Lagos, and the FCT. The consequences have been devastating: service blackouts, network congestion, and widespread connectivity disruptions that have affected millions of subscribers and critical services nationwide.

The most targeted assets include power cables, rectifiers, fibre optic cables, feeder cables, diesel generators, batteries, and solar power systems — all vital components required to keep telecom networks operational. ALTON noted that these items are being looted from active sites and funneled into black markets, where they are resold for domestic or commercial use, often without buyers knowing their illicit origins.

“These are not just pieces of hardware — they are the backbone of our digital economy, our national security systems, and our emergency response infrastructure,” the operators stressed. “Every stolen battery or severed fibre cable brings us closer to a national communications crisis.”

Beyond direct sabotage, ALTON identified another significant and recurring problem: the damage to underground fibre optic cables caused by road construction and other civil infrastructure projects along highways and in urban centres. These incidents have triggered significant outages and financial losses, as fibre cuts remain one of the biggest single threats to network stability.

The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) network outage portal recorded 656 major service disruptions in 2025 so far, nearly 70 percent of which were attributed to vandalism. Telcos including MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile have all suffered significant setbacks from this surge in destructive activity.

This disturbing trend follows an earlier financial blow to the industry: in 2023 alone, telecom operators lost an estimated $23 million due to fibre cuts — with a significant portion resulting from vandalism and unregulated construction. These cuts caused massive service disruptions and revealed just how fragile Nigeria’s digital infrastructure remains, despite ongoing investments.

As of 2023, Nigeria has deployed over 78,676 kilometres of fibre optic cable nationwide. However, this infrastructure is heavily concentrated in urban areas. Lagos, for instance, hosts 7,864.60km of fibre, followed by Edo (4,892.71km), the FCT (4,472.03km), Ogun (4,189.18km), and Niger (3,681.66km). These fibre networks form the backbone of Nigeria’s mobile and broadband services  and any disruption reverberates widely across personal, governmental, and business communication systems.

ALTON warned that unless swift and coordinated action is taken, the sector may suffer deeper losses, not just in service delivery, but also in investor confidence and long-term infrastructure planning. The operators have, therefore, called on key national security and enforcement bodies  including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) — to urgently intervene and protect telecom infrastructure from further damage.

“We commend the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for setting up a dedicated portal for reporting incidents and for their proactive efforts to protect the nation’s telecom networks,” ALTON stated. The association acknowledged the regulator’s responsiveness in creating digital channels to flag threats and mobilise swift intervention from relevant authorities.

However, ALTON stressed that while such steps are commendable, they are not sufficient in the face of the escalating crisis. “But we need more. This is a desperate and urgent hour. The industry cannot fight this battle alone,” the statement added.

The association further appealed to state and local governments, civil society, the media, and the general public to play an active role in safeguarding telecom infrastructure.

“We urge Nigerians to be vigilant. If you see someone tampering with telecom equipment, report it. If you’re offered suspicious batteries, cables, or solar panels, know that buying such items makes you complicit in a crime,” the group warned, adding “We all rely on this infrastructure for banking, health services, education, emergency response, and daily communication. When these systems are attacked, it is not just telecom companies that suffer; the entire economy and national security are at risk.”

ALTON reiterated that under Federal Government Gazette No. 133, Volume 108, dated March 17, 2021, telecom infrastructure is officially classified as Critical National Infrastructure. As such, any act of vandalism, sabotage, or illegal possession of telecom assets is a grave criminal offence with serious legal consequences.

As the digital economy becomes increasingly central to Nigeria’s development ambitions, safeguarding its enabling infrastructure has never been more critical. ALTON’s urgent plea is a call to collective national responsibility, one that demands immediate response from government agencies, law enforcement, communities, and every citizen whose life is inextricably tied to the uninterrupted flow of digital communication.