Across Nigeria, a mounting wave of theft and sabotage is striking at the heart of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, crippling mobile networks and threatening widespread service collapse. Between May and July 2025, dozens of telecom sites were hit in states including Rivers, Ogun, Osun, Imo, Kogi, Ekiti, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory. The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) warns that the theft of fibre-optic cables, power lines, solar panels, batteries, generators, and other critical components has disrupted services, triggered prolonged blackouts, and inflicted severe congestion—leaving millions of Nigerians disconnected.
Operators stress that these stolen materials are far from common hardware—they are the lifeblood of mobile connectivity, emergency response systems, banking services, healthcare, education networks, and national security platforms. The aggressive sabotage targets technologies that underpin the digital economy, putting vital services at risk. This setback has arrived at a time when the industry is undergoing its largest infrastructure expansion in years, featuring upgrades to transmission equipment, power systems, and the widespread laying of fibre-optic cables aimed at boosting coverage and capacity.
The impact of the vandalism is both direct and insidious. Not only are networks disrupted, but the stolen components have become commodities in a burgeoning black market. Solar panels and batteries once meant to keep base stations running are now being sold to households, while diesel fuel siphoned from transmission sites is resold. Telecom operators emphasize that consumers who purchase these items are unknowingly aiding criminal activity—and may be liable under law. Crucially, telecom infrastructure in Nigeria has been designated as critical national infrastructure since March 2021, with vandalism punishable by law.
ALTON is urging immediate and coordinated government and security intervention. The group has called on the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to bolster protection for telecom assets. Their appeal comes amid mounting alarm that continued sabotage could severely undermine the nation’s economic stability, public safety, and future digital growth.
In a bid to empower citizens in the fight against vandalism, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a reporting portal for suspicious incidents. Nigerians are encouraged to report via email or by dialing 622. Industry leaders warn: if left unchecked, the vandalism of telecom infrastructure could dismantle the backbone of national connectivity and progress—making swift collective action not just prudent, but essential.
