Protect Telecom Masts or Risk Shutdown, NSCDC Warns Operators

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, has warned telecommunications operators and tower owners to take the security of their installations seriously, cautioning that leaving them unguarded poses significant threats to national security and economic stability.

Dr. Odumosu issued the warning on Friday during a strategic meeting with telecom stakeholders at the NSCDC FCT Command Headquarters, Abuja. The meeting, convened by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), was aimed at addressing the rising cases of vandalism of base transceiver stations (BTS), masts, and towers across the country.

The NSCDC boss expressed concern over what he described as the “nonchalant attitude” of some telecom operators toward safeguarding their multi-million-naira investments, noting that many of the vandalised sites were left unprotected, making them easy targets for criminals.

“Vandalism of these critical national assets has serious consequences for the entire country. Protection of these facilities must be taken seriously. Any act of sabotage must be condemned and prevented from escalating,” Odumosu warned.

He added that recent patrols by the Corps’ Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) Department revealed that numerous telecom sites within the FCT lacked any form of security presence or surveillance systems.

According to him, the negligence is unacceptable, given the strategic role of telecommunications in Nigeria’s socio-economic development and national security.

Odumosu urged operators to immediately engage licensed private security companies to provide round-the-clock physical security at their sites and to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to monitor activities and deter intruders. He also emphasised that future reports of vandalism or theft must be accompanied by CCTV footage to aid investigations and prosecution.

“As the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, we are committed to providing 24-hour surveillance and patrol around your facilities,” he said. “But operators must also cooperate by providing relevant information about their sites and locations. We cannot protect what we don’t know exists.”

The Commandant further called on operators to share credible intelligence that could help the Corps apprehend vandals, stressing that collaboration between the NSCDC and telecom companies is crucial to safeguarding vital communication infrastructure in the nation’s capital.

Responding, representatives of the telecom operators commended the NSCDC for initiating the strategic engagement. They pledged to work closely with the Corps to enhance security at their installations, review current security arrangements, and comply with directives on physical guarding, CCTV installation, and intelligence sharing.