The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara Command, has fired a warning shot at construction firms over the reckless destruction of fibre-optic cables and other vital infrastructure in the state.
State Commandant Bala Bodinga issued the caution in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ayoola Shola, on Wednesday in Ilorin, following a strategic management briefing at the corps’ headquarters.
Bodinga urged all construction companies, contractors, developers, and excavation crews to steer clear of any actions that could damage underground cables.
He stressed that “protection of telecommunications infrastructure remains a matter of national security and a core mandate of the corps.”
The commandant flagged the growing cases of damaged fibre installations, often caused by negligence or failure to properly check for underground utilities before digging. He warned that such mishaps can throw communication networks, banking operations, emergency services, and other essential public systems into chaos.
Bodinga explained that the warning aligns with directives from the office of the National Security Adviser to safeguard critical national assets nationwide.
“The Command directs that all construction and excavation works within Kwara must be preceded by proper clearance and verification of underground utilities. Contractors are required to liaise with relevant service providers and the NSCDC before commencement of any digging activity. Ignorance of the presence of fibre-optic installations will not be accepted,” he said.
He further cautioned that anyone caught damaging critical infrastructure, whether by carelessness or design, “would face immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution in accordance with extant laws,” underscoring the corps’ zero-tolerance policy against vandalism.
The commandant also called on members of the public to keep their eyes peeled and promptly report any suspicious activity to the command.
