Telco vandalism incidents escalating in Nigeria, as reported by service providers, totaling 445 occurrences since May.
In the heart of West Africa, Nigeria has witnessed a significant surge in vandalism incidents against its telecom infrastructure from June to July 2025. This escalation has caused widespread disruption to telecommunications services, affecting voice calls, internet access, SMS, and USSD services nationwide.
Causes
The increase in vandalism can be attributed to several factors. Since May 2025, incidents have risen from an average of 2 to 5 daily cases, totaling around 445 incidents over 88 days. MTN Nigeria reported 5,478 fibre cuts from January to July 2025, with sabotage and road works responsible for 69% of those cuts. June (1,016 incidents) and July (760 incidents) were particularly affected months.
The South-East and South-South regions, including states like Akwa Ibom, Abia, Rivers, Delta, Cross River, and Ondo, have seen the highest concentration of attacks. Vandals sometimes confront site engineers demanding ransom, suggesting organized criminal elements involved.
Impact
These disruptions threaten Nigeria's digital backbone, impeding critical services such as financial transactions, emergency response, education, and healthcare. Financial losses are substantial; for instance, operators incurred N27 billion (approx. $23 million) losses in 2023 alone, with ongoing impacts into 2025. Vandalism harms investor confidence and could impede telecommunications sector growth, which is a major contributor to Nigeria’s GDP.
Government and Industry Response
In response, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) declared a nationwide red alert and increased surveillance and operations to protect critical infrastructure, including telecom sites. The federal government criminalized telecom sabotage under Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) laws, enforcing 10-year jail terms since July 2024, with promises of stricter crackdowns by the Attorney-General’s office.
Telecom companies have deployed advanced security measures such as electronic trackers on removable generators and backup batteries to trace stolen equipment, alongside AI technologies for damage detection and traffic rerouting. Public warnings have been issued that purchasing stolen telecom equipment is prosecutable, aiming to reduce demand for stolen parts.
Looking Ahead
Despite these efforts, the threat remains persistent. Adebayo, President of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has called for Nigerians to join the fight against the vandalism of telecom infrastructure. Gbenga Adebayo, President of ALTON, stated that the attacks have grown increasingly aggressive, with vandals confronting site engineers and demanding ransom.
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) coordinates the overall strategy for the CNII framework, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is responsible for protecting telecom infrastructure on the ground. The Inspector General of Police leads enforcement of the CNII Order.
[1] NCC Press Release, July 2025. [2] MTN Nigeria Report, July 2025. [3] ALTON Statement, July 2025. [4] NSCDC Press Release, July 2025. [5] Federal Government Press Release, July 2025.
Mobile technology has become a target in Nigeria, with reports of vandalism against telecom infrastructure escalating from June to July 2025. The general-news regarding this issue highlights the involvement of organized criminal elements demanding ransom, suggesting that crime-and-justice could be a factor in the vandalism.
