Alarming Rate of Vandalism and Theft of Telecommunications Infrastructure in Nigeria

Strategic Insights -

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has expressed deep concern over the increasing wave of sabotage and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure across the country. This has resulted in widespread connectivity blackouts, impacting millions of subscribers, and causing disruptions to network services. The affected infrastructure, including power cables, rectifiers, and fiber optic cables, is not only owned by ALTON's members but also by other mobile network operators (MNOs) that provide connectivity to the public. The states with high frequency and intensity of attacks on telecom infrastructure include Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Kogi, FCT, Kaduna, Niger, Osun, Kwara, and Abuja.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has decried the alarming rate of vandalism and theft of telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
  • The affected infrastructure includes power cables, rectifiers, fiber optic cables, diesel generators, batteries, and solar systems, which are critical components of network services.
  • The acts of sabotage have led to prolonged downtimes, network congestion, widespread blackouts, and degradation of service quality, impacting millions of subscribers.
  • The states with high frequency and intensity of attacks on telecom infrastructure include Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Kogi, FCT, Kaduna, Niger, Osun, Kwara, and Abuja.
  • Telecommunications infrastructure has been classified as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) under the National Security framework, and vandalism is a serious criminal offence with grave consequences.
  • ALTON has urged the public, governments, security agencies, and the public to recognize the severity of these incidents and the impact on the digital economy, security systems, and national communications grid.

Statistics:

  • Millions of subscribers have been impacted by the widespread connectivity blackouts caused by the vandalism and theft of telecommunications infrastructure.
  • The states with high frequency and intensity of attacks on telecom infrastructure include 14 out of 36 states in Nigeria.
  • The affected infrastructure includes power cables, rectifiers, and fiber optic cables, which are critical components of network services.
  • The acts of sabotage have led to prolonged downtimes, network congestion, widespread blackouts, and degradation of service quality.
  • ALTON has assured the public of its working tirelessly to improve the quality of service nationwide.

Sources:

  • Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON)

+ "Alarming Rate of Vandalism and Theft of Telecommunications Infrastructure Across Nigeria", statement issued by Sir Damian Udeh, Publicity Secretary.