Telecom Operators Warn of Service Collapse Amid Rampant Vandalism of Infrastructure in Nigeria
By DAYO ADESULU
Telecom Infrastructure Vandalism Nigeria Threatens National Connectivity
Nigeria’s telecom operators are urgently warning about worsening network performance unless security agencies ramp up protection of telecom infrastructure. Key players, under the umbrella group ALTON (Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria), have raised grave concerns over telecom infrastructure vandalism Nigeria affecting essential services like banking, education, and emergency response.
Subscribers, already struggling with dropped calls and slow data speeds, bear the brunt. Operators argue that despite recent network optimisations approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), vandalism continues to sabotage progress and erode service quality.
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Optimised Networks Undermined by Persistent Vandalism
Operators report that they invested heavily to optimise their networks after the NCC approved marginal price adjustments. However, acts of destruction have negated those gains. A senior official, speaking anonymously, stated:
“We optimised our networks to promise robust service, but vandals are carting away infrastructure and selling it in open markets. That is why service quality remains poor and why it risks getting worse.”
Their plea is simple: without security interventions, escalating vandalism will trigger a full collapse of telecom services.
ALTON Details Scope of Attacks on Essential Digital Assets
ALTON, represented by Chairman Gbenga Adebayo and Publicity Secretary Damian Udeh, delivered a detailed breakdown of the damage:
- Attacks recorded between May and July 2025 in multiple states including Rivers, Ogun, Osun, Imo, Kogi, Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja, and others
- Stolen equipment includes power cables, rectifiers, fiber-optic cables, batteries, solar panels, diesel fuel
- Network blackouts, severe congestion, and service degradation impacting millions of users
- Unchecked resale of stolen telecom parts feeding grey markets
They emphasised that these assets are not mere materials—they form the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy, security systems, and national communications grid.
Consequences: Breakdown Across Banking, Education & Security Systems
Operators warn that failure to act will disrupt critical services:
- Banking systems depending on uninterrupted connectivity
- Online learning platforms in Nigeria’s education sector
- Emergency response services requiring reliable telecom infrastructure
Network downtime or degradation directly hampers access to healthcare, secure transactions, and government operations, risking a national-scale digital collapse.
Call to Action: Security Agencies Must Protect Telecom Sites
ALTON is calling on national security authorities to intervene immediately:
- Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)
- Inspector General of Police
- Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS)
- Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
They demand coordinated resource deployment to protect network assets and prevent further degradation.
Civil Projects Compound the Erosion of Telecom Stability
Beyond theft and sabotage, ALTON calls attention to a second pressing issue: underground fiber-optic cable damage, caused by road construction and civil works along major highways and urban roads. These collateral damages further disrupt service and inflict financial losses.
Why This Matters: Digital Infrastructure Supports National Stability
- Telecom infrastructure vandalism Nigeria hinders service quality despite operators’ investments.
- Without intervention, mobile network collapse risks leaving banking, education, health, and security systems stranded offline.
- Stolen infrastructure is sold off cheaply, fueling underground markets rather than supporting reform.
- Degraded connectivity chokes economic growth and undermines foreign and local investor confidence.
- A coordinated national response—across government, regulators, and civil society—is essential now.
What Needs to Happen Next
- Immediate deployment of security forces to monitor and protect telecom sites nationwide
- Collaboration between telecom operators and road authorities to reduce accidental fiber damage
- Enforcement against grey-market trading in stolen equipment
- Active public awareness campaigns to discourage participation in vandalism
- Regulatory mandates holding investors accountable for infrastructure integrity
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the impact of telecom infrastructure vandalism in Nigeria?
It disrupts mobile, internet, and emergency services by targeting critical hardware like fiber cables and power supply systems.
2. Where have teams reported vandalism incidents?
Major cases have occurred across states such as Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Rivers, Imo, Osun, Kogi, and Ekiti between May and July 2025.
3. Why did telcos optimise networks recently?
After an NCC-approved price adjustment, operators reinvested in infrastructure to improve service quality—but vandalism undermined these gains.
4. How widespread is the problem?
Millions of subscribers face poor connectivity. Telecom operators bear over N4 trillion in sector debt and cannot sustain recurring damage.
5. Who is being called on to act?
Security agencies like ONSA, DSS, NSCDC, and the Nigeria Police are urged to immediately secure telecom assets.
6. How can stakeholders support recovery?
By collaborating across sectors, meeting regulatory obligations, enforcing vandalism laws, and engaging the public to protect shared digital infrastructure.
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A strong, coordinated response is essential. Without it, continued infrastructure theft and sabotage may plunge Nigeria into a crippling communications blackout.
