“Dig at Your Own Risk!” NCC and NSCDC to Jail Contractors for 10 Years Over Fibre-Optic Cable Damage

The era of “accidental” internet blackouts caused by reckless road construction is officially over. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have issued a stern joint warning: any contractor caught damaging fibre-optic cables will now face the full weight of the law—including a potential 10-year prison sentence.

In a move to protect the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy, the two agencies revealed that telecommunications infrastructure has been elevated to the status of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). This means that excavator operators and construction firms can no longer plead “negligence” as an excuse for cutting off the country’s connectivity.

The crackdown follows a frustrating year for the telecom sector. Data shows that in 2024, more than 50,000 fibre-optic cuts were recorded across Nigeria, with over 60% of them caused by federal and state road projects. These disruptions haven’t just caused “buffering” on Netflix; they have paralyzed banking transactions, stalled government digital services, and blocked emergency calls during critical moments.

“Fibre optic cables are vital national assets,” a joint statement from the agencies read. “Destruction of these assets whether through negligence or lack of coordination poses a direct threat to national security and economic stability.”

Under the new enforcement regime, contractors are legally required to verify fibre routes with the NCC and network operators before they even touch the soil. Those who bypass this step and cause a “fibre cut” will be prosecuted under the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, which allows for heavy fines and lengthy jail time without the option of a fine in some cases.

The NCC has also launched a dedicated platform for the public to report cable vandalism, while the NSCDC has been empowered to make immediate arrests at construction sites where negligence is detected. For construction companies across the 36 states, the message is clear: coordinate your digging, or prepare for a day in court.