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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Following massive road construction and destruction of infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Olusola Odumosu, has warned all construction companies, civil engineering firms, contractors and developers across the FCT to stop the persistent destruction of underground fibre-optic cables or face the full wrath of the law.
The warning came as a result of increasing damage to underground fibre-optic installations across the capital territory arising from the nonchalant attitude, negligence, poor planning and failure to identify the presence of communication lines or cables on the road corridors before digging or excavating.
In a statement, the commandant explained that the actions had, on many occasions, resulted in disruption of internet services, banking operations, communications networks, government services and other commercial activities.
“The recurrent damage to our underground fibre optic cables poses a serious threat to national security; causes disruption of telecommunication services and affects the economic prosperity of our country.
“Under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024, telecommunication fibre infrastructure is classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure, and any damage, whether deliberate or through negligence, constitutes a serious offence with national security implications,” he said.
He posited that the NSCDC derives its powers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act 2003 as amended in 2007, which empowers the corps to maintain 24-hour surveillance on infrastructure, sites and projects of the federal, state and local governments; arrest, detain, investigate and institute legal proceedings against offenders and protect public utilities and national assets from vandalism and sabotage.
He disclosed that the act further authorises the corps to enter and search premises, seize materials suspected to be used for vandalism and prosecute persons or organisations involved in the destruction of public utilities, including communication cables, power transmission lines, pipelines, water installations and other essential infrastructure.
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The FCT helmsman maintained that in compliance with the directive from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and pursuant to its statutory mandate, “the NSCDC FCT Command directs that all construction and excavations in the FCT must be preceded by proper verification of underground utilities; contractors must liaise with telecommunication service providers, NSCDC and relevant government authorities in the FCT before commencement of digging or drilling; ignorance of the presence of fibre-optic cables or other installations shall not be accepted as a defence.
Any negligent or deliberate destruction of communication infrastructure will attract immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution.”
According to the commandant, beyond fibre-optic cables, the command said that NSCDC would not tolerate vandalism, sabotage or unlawful interference with any critical national assets and infrastructure, including power installations, oil and gas pipelines, water facilities, rail lines, communication masts, government buildings and all other public utilities within the Federal Capital Territory.
“Offenders, whether individuals, corporate organisations or government contractors, will be prosecuted under existing laws, including but not limited to Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act 2003 (as amended 2007), Cybercrimes (prohibition, prevention, etc.) Act 2015 and other applicable federal and state legislation on infrastructure protection and criminal damage,” Odumosu warned.
He assured that the NSCDC remains resolute in safeguarding all critical national assets and infrastructure across the capital city and advised those concerned to strictly adhere and comply with the verification and co-ordination procedures before any civil work is carried out and where not clear, should approach the critical national asset and infrastructure protection (CNAI) unit of the command for further enquiries and guidance.
Odumosu urged all members of the public, professional bodies, project managers and community stakeholders to promptly report suspicious excavations or vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure to the nearest NSCDC formation for immediate response.
He reiterated the corps’ zero-tolerance to vandalism and sabotage of national assets and appealed to all law-abiding organisations to partner with the corps for a sustainable economic growth and protection of social amenities provided by the taxpayers money.
