The Nigerian telecommunications sector is facing a severe crisis due to rampant vandalism and theft of critical infrastructure, threatening the stability and reliability of communication services across the nation. The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has issued an urgent plea for government and security intervention, warning that the escalating attacks on telecom facilities could lead to a nationwide network collapse if left unchecked. Between May and July 2025, a surge in vandalism incidents targeting cell sites has been reported across several states, including Rivers, Ogun, Osun, Imo, Kogi, Ekiti, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. These attacks have caused significant disruptions, prolonged network outages, and severe congestion, leaving millions of Nigerians without access to reliable communication services.
ALTON highlights the substantial investments made by telecom operators in network optimization and capacity upgrades, aiming to improve service quality nationwide. However, these efforts are being severely undermined by the persistent acts of sabotage. The industry is currently undertaking its largest infrastructure expansion in recent years, modernizing transmission equipment, overhauling power systems, and laying thousands of kilometers of fiber-optic cables to expand coverage and enhance capacity. These critical projects are being jeopardized by the increasing theft and vandalism of essential telecom components.
Thieves are specifically targeting crucial components like power cables, rectifiers, fiber optic cables, feeder cables, diesel generators, batteries, and solar panels. These components are not merely materials; they form the backbone of Nigeria’s communication network, underpinning security systems, and driving the digital economy. The theft and vandalism of this equipment not only disrupt phone calls and data services but also compromise banking systems, emergency services, healthcare, education, and national security platforms. The impact extends beyond the telecommunications industry, affecting various sectors that rely on stable communication infrastructure.
The states most affected by these attacks include Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger, Osun, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A concerning trend is the emergence of a black market for stolen telecom equipment. Batteries from telecom sites are being repurposed for home and office inverters, solar panels are resold to households, and diesel fuel intended for powering base stations is siphoned off and sold on the grey market. ALTON urges the public to exercise vigilance and refrain from purchasing suspicious items, emphasizing that buying stolen telecom equipment constitutes participation in a national crime.
Telecom infrastructure in Nigeria has been officially designated as Critical National Infrastructure, highlighting its importance to the nation’s security and economic stability. Vandalism, sabotage, or illegal possession of these assets are considered serious criminal offenses with severe legal consequences. ALTON emphasizes that the continued sabotage of telecom facilities poses a direct threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security. Mobile and broadband services are essential for various sectors, including banking, security, healthcare, and education, and disruptions in these services can have wide-ranging repercussions.
Beyond deliberate acts of vandalism, ALTON also points to frequent fiber cuts caused by uncoordinated road construction and civil works across the country. Road projects often damage underground fiber optic cables, leading to extensive service outages and substantial financial losses. To address this multifaceted crisis, ALTON calls for immediate action from various stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. They urge these entities to deploy security measures to protect telecom infrastructure and prevent a complete collapse of communication services. The Nigerian Communications Commission’s initiative to establish a dedicated portal for reporting vandalism and suspicious activities is also commended. ALTON emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated national action involving security agencies, government at all levels, regulators, the media, civil society, and the public to address this critical situation, emphasizing that Nigeria’s economic stability, national security, and digital future are at stake.
