Tinubu’s Executive Order Sparks NCC Crackdown on Telecom Saboteurs

According to NIVONEWS, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced the enforcement of President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). The directive, signed on June 24, 2024, criminalizes any form of vandalism, theft, or tampering with such assets nationwide.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This move, according to NIVONEWS, is a response to growing incidents of fibre cable cuts, generator thefts, and sabotage of critical telecom sites that have severely affected network service quality across Nigeria. The Commission emphasized that these acts are now officially classified as crimes under the Executive Order, and the NCC has launched a nationwide public sensitization campaign to reinforce the message.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council to the NCC headquarters in Abuja, the Head of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha—who represented the Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida—decried the frequent destruction of telecom assets. She stressed that the Commission is fully committed to protecting telecom infrastructure while working to expand affordable internet access, especially in underserved areas.

In addition to infrastructure protection, the NCC also addressed concerns over data usage. Ukoha clarified that mobile networks do not steal users’ data; rather, rapid consumption is often the result of automatic updates, background data usage, and unsecured hotspot sharing. She encouraged Nigerians to better manage their devices and apps to avoid unnecessary depletion of their subscriptions.

According to NIVONEWS, the NCC is also collaborating with construction stakeholders to minimize accidental cable cuts during road and infrastructure projects. The agency stressed the need for better coordination as nationwide construction activities increase, often damaging critical infrastructure unintentionally.

Meanwhile, Mallam Yakubu Musa, NCC’s Head of Corporate Communications, reiterated the Commission’s longstanding partnership with the media, emphasizing the media’s role in educating the public and enhancing transparency in the telecom space. NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, praised the NCC’s regulatory leadership and expressed the union’s interest in deepening collaboration, particularly on public awareness campaigns, digital access for journalists, and upcoming NUJ Press Week initiatives.

According to NIVONEWS, this intensified effort by the NCC aligns with the federal government’s broader push to protect vital infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted service delivery across the country.

”NIVONEWS REPORTS”