By KELECHI OGUNLEYE

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned road constructors and vandals against vandalising fibre optic cables.

This is contained in a statement by NSCDC Public Relations Officer (PRO), Afolabi Babawale on Sunday in Abuja.

Babawale said that the negligence and damage of fibre cables that are avoidable during road constructions and other related civil works will no longer be excused.

Babawale said that the act of vandalism across the country was a crime that attracts the risk of prosecution.

He quoted the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention Act 2015 that criminalised such negligence.

“Under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024, telecommunication fibre infrastructure is classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure.

“Consequently, any damage resulting from unauthorised digging, construction activities, or failure to collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent damage during construction constitutes a criminal offence.”

Babawale said that the destruction of these communication cables; whether through negligence, lack of coordination or willful actions, poses a direct threat to national security, economic stability and public safety.

He said that future damage to fibre optic infrastructure caused by excavation, road construction or any civil engineering activity without due consultation or collaboration with network operators and relevant regulators will attract strict legal consequences.

“Federal, state and local government agencies, road construction companies, utility service providers and private developers are to ensure full compliance by conducting pre-construction verification of fibre routes.

“Collaborating with the NCC, telecom operators and NSCDC before and during construction; adhering to approved guidelines for excavation and right-of-way management will enable rapid response and mitigation.

“The public is encouraged to report any act of fibre-optic infrastructure sabotage or damage to the nearest NSCDC Office or email- protect@ncc.gov.ng, cipu@nscdc.gov.ng or call 622 tollfree,” Babawale said. (NAN)

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