Telecom Theft Wave Persists as 656 Generators, Batteries Are Stolen — NCC

Telecommunications operators in Nigeria are battling a sharp rise in infrastructure theft, with new data from the Nigerian Communications Commission revealing that 656 critical power assets were stolen in 2025.

The figures include 152 generators and 504 batteries, raising fresh concerns about network reliability, service quality, and rising operational costs across the sector.

Theft Wave Persists Into 2026

The trend has continued into 2026, signaling a deepening crisis:

64 batteries and 17 generators stolen between January and February
Cable theft incidents surged to 160 in January (up from 74 in 2025)
February recorded 151 cases, more than double the previous year
222 diesel theft incidents reported within the first two months

Despite government efforts, telecom infrastructure remains highly vulnerable to vandalism and theft nationwide.

Industry Warns of Major Setback

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, described the situation as a serious setback for the industry.

He noted that operators are investing heavily in network upgrades, but persistent attacks are undermining progress.

“These are not mere materials—they are the backbone of our digital economy, security systems, and national communications grid.”

States most affected include Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, and the FCT, among others.

What’s Being Stolen — And Why It Matters

Critical telecom components targeted include:

Power generators and batteries
Fibre optic and feeder cables
Rectifiers and solar systems
Diesel supplies

The theft and vandalism of these assets often result in:

Network outages and blackouts
Degraded service quality
Disruptions affecting millions of subscribers
Billions Lost as Costs Mount

According to telecom consultant Adewale Adeoye, the financial impact is massive.

A standard base station generator (15 KVA) costs about ₦3.5 million
Replacing hundreds of stolen assets runs into billions of naira annually

He warned that operators may need to increase spending on security, given persistent gaps in infrastructure protection.

Fibre Cuts Add to Industry Woes

The theft crisis is compounded by a surge in fibre damage incidents:

Fibre cuts jumped from 4 cases in December 2025 to 40 in January 2026
A staggering 900% increase month-on-month

This comes despite the Federal Government’s designation of telecom assets as critical infrastructure.

Government Protection Efforts Yet to Deliver

In 2024, the Federal Government under Bola Tinubu designated telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), making vandalism a criminal offence.

The policy, championed by Bosun Tijani, was expected to strengthen protection across the sector.

However, incidents of theft and vandalism remain widespread, suggesting limited enforcement and persistent security gaps.

Rising Threat to Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Industry stakeholders warn that continued attacks on telecom infrastructure pose risks to:

National security
Economic stability
Digital connectivity and financial systems

As Nigeria becomes more reliant on digital services, safeguarding telecom infrastructure is now critical to sustaining growth and innovation.