The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, has warned construction companies, contractors and developers operating within the capital territory to stop the destruction of underground fibre-optic cables during excavation or face prosecution. The FCT Commandant of the Corps, Olusola Odumosu, issued the warning on Monday through a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Monica Ojobi, citing the increasing damage to telecommunication infrastructure resulting from construction activities. According to the statement, the commandant said the repeated damage to fibre-optic cables is often the result of negligence, poor planning and failure by contractors to identify the presence of communication lines along road corridors before commencing excavation works. Odumosu said such actions had frequently disrupted internet services, banking operations, communication networks, government services and other commercial activities across the territory. “The recurrent damage to our underground fibre optic cables poses a serious threat to national security, causes disruption of telecommunication services and affects the economic prosperity of our country,” he said. He added that, “Under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order 2024, telecommunication fibre infrastructure is classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure, and any damage, whether deliberate or through negligence, constitutes a serious offence with national security implications.” The commandant explained that the NSCDC derives its authority from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act 2003, as amended in 2007, which empowers the corps to maintain round-the-clock surveillance of critical infrastructure and government projects, as well as arrest, detain, investigate and prosecute offenders involved in vandalism or sabotage. He noted that the Act also authorises the corps to search premises, seize materials suspected to be used for vandalism and prosecute individuals or organisations responsible for damaging public utilities such as communication cables, power transmission lines, pipelines and water installations. Odumosu said that in compliance with directives from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the FCT Command had directed that all construction and excavation works in the territory must be preceded by proper verification of underground utilities. He said contractors must liaise with telecommunication service providers, the NSCDC and other relevant government authorities before any digging or drilling begins. He stressed that ignorance of the presence of fibre-optic cables or other underground installations would not be accepted as a defence. “Any negligent or deliberate destruction of communication infrastructure will attract immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution,” he warned. Odumosu also warned that the corps would not tolerate vandalism or interference with other critical national assets, including power installations, oil and gas pipelines, water facilities, rail lines, communication masts and government buildings. “Offenders, whether individuals, corporate organisations or government contractors, will be prosecuted under existing laws, including but not limited to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act 2003 (as amended 2007), Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 and other applicable Federal and state legislation on infrastructure protection and criminal damage,” Odumosu said. He assured residents that the Corps remained committed to safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure across the capital city and advised contractors to follow verification and coordination procedures before undertaking civil works. Odumosu also urged members of the public, professional bodies, project managers and community stakeholders to report suspicious excavation activities or vandalism of critical infrastructure to the nearest NSCDC formation for prompt response. He reiterated the NSCDC’s zero-tolerance policy against vandalism and called on organisations and stakeholders to collaborate with the NSCDC in protecting public infrastructure and promoting sustainable economic growth. The warning comes amid growing concerns over repeated damage to underground telecommunications infrastructure across Nigeria, with fibre-optic cables frequently cut during road construction, drainage works and private building projects. Such incidents have often led to widespread internet outages and disruptions to digital services, affecting businesses, financial transactions and government operations. Industry stakeholders say the protection of fibre infrastructure is critical to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy and the smooth functioning of communication networks nationwide. In response to these concerns, the Federal Government recently classified telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure under the 2024 CNII Order, a move aimed at strengthening enforcement and penalties against vandalism, negligence and other activities capable of disrupting essential communication services.