Essential telecom services in Nigeria face increasing sabotage, leading to widespread disruptions and potential national security risks
Nigeria has been grappling with a significant surge in vandalism of telecom infrastructure since May 2025, causing widespread disruptions to voice calls, internet access, SMS, and USSD services nationwide.
The vandalism, which includes the deliberate theft and destruction of critical network components, has seen a dramatic increase, with incidents rising from about two to five per day, totaling 445 cases over 88 days. This rise in vandalism has been most prevalent in states such as Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kaduna, Osun, and Kwara.
The causes of this rise in vandalism are multifaceted. Vandals often confront site engineers to demand ransom for stolen cables, indicating organized criminal involvement. Major affected components include fiber optic cables, power cables, rectifiers, diesel generators, batteries, and solar systems at active telecom sites.
The consequences of this vandalism are far-reaching. Frequent network outages, congestion of telecom traffic, prolonged blackouts, and widespread service quality degradation directly affect millions of subscribers. This vandalism undermines recent industry efforts to expand and modernize telecom infrastructure, including upgrading networks and expanding fiber-optic coverage.
In response, Nigerian telecom operators and the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) have called for urgent government and security sector intervention to stem the tide of vandalism and safeguard infrastructure. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) launched a public reporting platform in May 2025 to track vandalism incidents. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) coordinates the overall strategy, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is tasked with safeguarding telecom infrastructure on the ground.
The Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order, issued by the Nigerian government in June, recognizes telecommunications as critical infrastructure under the CNII. The Inspector General of Police oversees enforcement of the CNII, and the Department of State Services (DSS) provides intelligence on emerging threats related to telecom infrastructure.
President of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, urged Nigerians to join the fight against the vandalization of telecom infrastructure, stating that in many instances, vandals confront site engineers directly, demanding ransom before releasing stolen cables. Damaging telecom infrastructure is seen as an attack on Nigeria's economy and national stability.
Industry players are actively seeking enhanced security measures and government support to mitigate the ongoing threat. The surge in telecom vandalism is a concern that requires collective action to safeguard Nigeria's digital landscape.
[1] ALTON Press Release, May 2025. [2] NCC Press Release, May 2025. [3] ONSA Press Release, June 2025. [4] NCC Public Report, July 2025. [5] ALTON Industry Group Report, April 2025.
- The surge in telecom infrastructure vandalism in Nigeria, escalating since May 2025, has raised concerns within the general-news realm about its significant impact on the country's digital landscape and economy, as highlighted by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and various industry reports.
- As technology advances and the reliance on telecom services increases, finance sector stakeholders have begun to recognize the potential impact of telecom vandalism on business operations and economic growth, with the issue gaining traction in crime-and-justice discussions due to the suspected involvement of organized criminal networks.
