By Suleiman Shehu
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, has partnered with some construction companies to curb the destruction of fibre-optic cables and telecommunication infrastructure during construction projects.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the partnership, which includes other stakeholders, was reached at a roundtable organised by the command in Ibadan.
The state’s NSCDC Commandant, Mr Augustine Padonu, said it had become worrisome to see construction companies knowingly or unknowingly damaging telecommunication infrastructure at construction sites.
He said this has been significantly affecting communication services in communities and Nigeria in general, especially since fibre-optic cables are a vital component of the nation’s communication structure.
According to him, the engagement was in line with the directives to address the issue from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Audi.
He said the NSCDC, construction companies and other stakeholders need to work together to protect the infrastructure, based on their benefits to the citizens, the country, and their security implications.
The commandant said it has now become mandatory for construction companies to call before digging any site, adding that anyone caught violating the guidelines risks arrest and prosecution.
“We need to engage them and make it clear that, from now on, it will not be business as usual.
“They must consult service providers and the Ministry of Works before commencing any construction or excavation.
“They must ensure proper notification.
“Service providers will indicate where the cables pass, so that during construction, contractors can avoid damaging them,” he said.
The command’s Head of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Department, DCC Sunday Aderibigbe, linked the disruption of telecommunication services and potential national security vulnerabilities to the vandalism of fibre-optic cables.
Aderibigbe said that the NSCDC remained committed to working with the Oyo State Government, telecommunications operators, construction companies and other stakeholders to safeguard vital facilities.
He said that the cooperation, planning and adherence to established protocols would drastically improve the situation.
Meanwhile, the representatives of MTN and Airtel, Mr Abatan Olumuyiwa and Mrs Florence Susan, respectively, called for more sensitisation of communities on the importance of communication, especially reporting telecommunications vandals.
Mr Adebowale Adeniyi, representing the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ibadan Zonal Office, said the commission recorded about 9,218 destroyed fibre-optic cables between January and June 2025.
He said that, considering the importance of telecommunications cables to the country, they must be constantly kept alive and not vandalised.
The Regional Security Coordinator of ATC Infrastructure Company, Mr Wande Aribisala, pledged the company’s commitment to adhere to laid-down rules by identifying locations of telecommunications cables to avoid damage during construction.
According to a representative of the Oyo State Ministry of Works and Transportation, Mrs Jelilat Adepoju, construction companies are now aware of the implications of fibre-optic cable vandalism.
NAN reports that representatives of various security agencies and traditional leaders in the state also attended the roundtable.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu and Moses Solanke
