The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kaduna State Command, has cautioned contractors, construction firms and miscreants against damaging fibre-optic cables across the state.

The State Commandant of thevNSCDC, Panam Musa, gave the warning during a press briefing in Kaduna on Friday.

He said the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) remained a core mandate of the corps, stressing that fibre-optic cables were critical to national communication and economic activities.

According to him, damage to fibre-optic cables is a prosecutable offence under the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) Order 2024.

He stated, “NSCDC will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone found willfully or recklessly damaging these cables.

“They are vital to our digital economy, and any disruption can have serious consequences for the country’s economy and security.”

Mr Musa urged contractors and construction companies to exercise due diligence and caution when carrying out excavation or construction works near fibre-optic installations.

He also appealed to the residents to report any suspicious activities or attempts to vandalise such infrastructure to the NSCDC or other security agencies.

The commandant reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring that offenders were brought to justice.

(NAN)