• Telecom operators report a rise in vandalism since May, affecting services nationwide
• Critical equipment like fiber cables, generators, and batteries are being stolen or destroyed
• ALTON calls for urgent security action as vandalism threatens digital progress and service quality

In Nigeria, telecom operators are raising alarms over a renewed wave of vandalism targeting critical network infrastructure, especially since May 2025. The attacks are putting pressure on service quality and availability, just as stakeholders step up efforts to tackle this long-running issue in the sector.

In a statement released on Thursday, July 17, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said key components—such as power cables, rectifiers, fiber optic lines, backup cables, diesel generators, batteries, and solar systems—are being repeatedly stolen or damaged at active sites.

States most affected include Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kaduna, Niger, Osun, and Kwara.

According to the association, these acts of sabotage have seriously disrupted network services, causing widespread outages, traffic congestion, service quality decline, and direct impact on millions of subscribers.

The protection of telecom infrastructure remains a top priority for the industry. In recent months, several initiatives have been launched to reduce vandalism, equipment theft, and fiber cuts. On May 26, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) launched a public reporting platform to track these incidents. In April, telecom operators created a dedicated industry group to coordinate prevention and response strategies.

Back in February, the government set up an interministerial committee to find lasting solutions to repeated fiber cuts caused by roadwork. These efforts follow a presidential order signed in August 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, which classified any deliberate damage to telecom infrastructure as a criminal offense, recognizing it as nationally critical infrastructure.

Still, ALTON is calling for urgent support from Nigeria’s top security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“We need coordinated national action from security agencies, all levels of government, regulators, media, civil society, and the general public. Our national security, economic stability, and digital future are at stake. Action must be taken now,” said ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo.

Without strong intervention, telecom operators warn that the sector could face a full-blown crisis. They argue that vandalism could undo years of infrastructure investment, as resources are being redirected to repairs instead of network expansion or service improvement. In a country undergoing digital transformation, such setbacks could affect essential sectors like banking, healthcare, education, and commerce.