NSCDC Warns Contractors Against Damaging Abuja Fibre-Optic Cables
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned contractors and construction companies operating in Abuja against damaging underground fibre-optic cables during excavation and construction activities across the Federal Capital Territory.
The FCT Commandant of the corps, Olusola Odumosu, issued the warning while addressing concerns over the increasing number of incidents involving the destruction of telecommunications infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
According to him, several fibre-optic cables belonging to telecommunications companies have been damaged in recent months due to road construction, drainage works and other excavation activities carried out without proper coordination with service providers.
said the repeated damage to the cables has led to serious disruptions in telecommunications services, including internet connectivity, banking operations and other digital services that rely heavily on stable network infrastructure.
He stressed that fibre-optic networks form a critical part of the country’s communication system and warned that negligence by contractors could have far-reaching economic and security implications.
The NSCDC commandant explained that telecommunications facilities have been classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure under a federal government order, making their protection a matter of national security.
He therefore urged contractors to always conduct proper checks and liaise with relevant authorities and telecommunications providers before carrying out excavation works in areas where fibre cables may be located.
Odumosu further warned that any individual or company found responsible for damaging such infrastructure would face arrest and prosecution in line with existing laws protecting critical national assets.
He added that the corps would intensify monitoring of construction sites across Abuja to ensure compliance and prevent further damage to fibre-optic cables.
The NSCDC also called on residents and stakeholders to report suspicious excavation activities near telecommunications installations as part of efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure and maintain uninterrupted communication services in the Federal Capital Territory.
