The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has warned individuals and corporate bodies against negligent or deliberate damage to critical infrastructure, saying offenders will be arrested and prosecuted under existing laws.
The Commandant, Bala Bawa Bodinga, issued the warning in Ilorin while addressing concerns over increasing incidents of damaged fibre-optic cables and other essential installations across the state.
He cautioned construction companies, contractors, developers and excavators to ensure proper verification of underground utilities before commencing any digging activities. According to him, the protection of telecommunications infrastructure falls within the core mandate of the corps and is a national security priority.
Bodinga expressed concern that rising cases of damaged underground fibre installations are often caused by negligence and failure to obtain clearance before excavation. He noted that such incidents disrupt telecommunications networks, banking services, emergency response systems and other critical services vital to public safety and economic stability.
Citing directives from the Office of the National Security Adviser on the protection of critical national assets, he stated that all construction and excavation works in Kwara must be preceded by proper clearance and consultation with relevant service providers and the NSCDC.
He stressed that contractors must liaise with concerned authorities before commencing digging activities, adding that ignorance of the presence of fibre-optic cables would not be accepted as a defence.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Ayoola Michael Shola, the agency reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward vandalism and sabotage of national assets. It also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest NSCDC office.
