Essential telecom services under threat as vandalism spikes in Nigeria, potentially endangering national security
Nigeria Battles Surge in Telecom Infrastructure Vandalism
Since May 2025, Nigeria has witnessed a significant increase in incidents of telecom infrastructure vandalism, with daily occurrences rising from an average of two to five[1]. This escalation has resulted in disruptions to various network services, affecting millions of people across multiple states[1][2][3].
Causes of the Increase
The rise in vandalism can be attributed to theft and sabotage, where vandals steal or damage critical equipment like fiber optic cables, generators, power cables, batteries, and solar panels, often demanding ransom from site engineers before releasing stolen cables[1][2][4]. The stolen components are then resold in open or grey markets, creating an underground economy that incentivizes vandalism[4].
Economic hardship and insecurity also play a role in this trend, reflecting broader socio-economic challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and possible involvement of criminal gangs exploiting security weaknesses at sites[4].
Impact
The consequences of this vandalism are far-reaching. Frequent network outages lead to prolonged downtimes, degraded service quality, congestion, and widespread blackouts, affecting millions who rely on telecom services for communication, banking, emergency response, education, and health services[1][2][3][4].
Moreover, telecom infrastructure supports critical national functions, and its sabotage poses a threat to economic activities and security systems, exacerbating systemic vulnerabilities[1][4]. The vandalism also undermines the sector's progress, despite heavy investments by telecom operators in network expansion, optimization, and capacity upgrades[3].
Government and Industry Response
In response to this crisis, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has called for more robust government and security agency actions to curb the vandalism wave[3]. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) launched a platform in May 2025 to track vandalism incidents and encourage public participation in reporting[2].
Telecom operators have also formed a dedicated group to coordinate prevention and response strategies aimed at reducing theft and vandalism[2]. Operators are urging citizens to help protect telecom assets due to their critical role in socio-economic infrastructure and national security[4].
The CNII Order, issued by the Nigerian government in June, criminalizes deliberate damage to telecommunications infrastructure[5]. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) coordinates the overall strategy for CNII implementation, with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) safeguarding telecom infrastructure on the ground[6]. The Inspector General of Police oversees enforcement of the CNII Order, while the Department of State Services (DSS) provides intelligence on emerging threats related to telecom infrastructure[7].
In summary, Nigeria faces a worsening crisis of telecom infrastructure vandalism driven by criminal theft motivated by a lucrative market for stolen equipment. The consequences include widespread service disruptions and threats to national security and economy. Both government agencies and telecom operators have initiated measures to track, prevent, and respond to these attacks, but challenges remain to stabilize and secure the sector[1][2][3][4].
The escalation in telecom infrastructure vandalism in Nigeria, primarily driven by theft and sabotage, has been fueled by a lucrative market for stolen equipment and economic hardship, creating an underground economy that incentivizes vandalism.The consequences of this vandalism are far-reaching, affecting millions who rely on telecom services for essential communication, banking, and emergency services, and posing a threat to economic activities and security systems, as telecom infrastructure supports critical national functions.*
