The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Gombe State Command, has partnered with the Gombe State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to curb damage to fibre-optic cables across the state.
The State Commandant, Jibrin Idris, made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Usman Kallamu, at the ministry’s headquarters in Gombe.
According to a press statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Buhari Saad, Commandant Idris stressed that the protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure is a core mandate of the Corps, noting that fibre-optic cables are vital to national communication systems and economic activities.
“Fibre-optic cables are critical national assets that support communication, digital services, and economic growth. Their protection is not optional but a statutory responsibility of the Corps,” he said.
He warned that the destruction of such infrastructure is a punishable offence under the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) Order 2024.
“Damage to fibre-optic cables, whether wilful or through negligence, is a prosecutable offence. The NSCDC will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute individuals, contractors, or firms found culpable,” Idris added.
The Commandant urged contractors and construction companies operating in the state to exercise due diligence, particularly during excavation and road construction near fibre-optic installations.
“We call on all contractors to liaise with relevant authorities before embarking on excavation projects. Preventing damage is far better than facing legal consequences,” he said, while also appealing to residents to report suspicious activities around critical infrastructure to the NSCDC and other security agencies.
Responding, Commissioner for Works, Engr. Usman Kallamu, commended the NSCDC for the proactive move and assured the ministry’s readiness to collaborate.
“We appreciate the Commandant for this timely visit. The ministry will strengthen coordination with the NSCDC to ensure that contractors comply with safety standards and that incidents of fibre-optic cable damage are drastically reduced,” Kallamu said.
