Niger State NSCDC Engage Works Commissioner on Critical Assets Protection

By YM Bina

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, has paid an official visit to the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Kabiru Abbas.

This is contained in a statement issued by the command Public Relations Officer, DSC Abubakar Rabiu Muti in Minna, said this in furtherance of its mandate to safeguard Critical National Assets and Infrastructure.

Muti noted that the visit formed part of ongoing strategic engagements following directives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) regarding the persistent destruction of fibre-optic cables and other telecommunications facilities during road construction and civil engineering activities across the state.

Speaking during the meeting, Comt Aniviye expressed concern over the growing incidents of damage—both accidental and negligent—to underground telecommunications infrastructure, particularly fibre-optic cables. He noted that such disruptions have far-reaching implications for national security, economic activities, digital connectivity, and public communication systems in Niger State.

He reiterated that the NSCDC, as the leading agency responsible for the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, will not hesitate to enforce relevant laws against any individual or company found culpable of deliberate vandalism or failure to conduct proper verification before excavation works.

The Commandant further disclosed that the Command will soon issue an official public advisory (popularly referred to as “reading the Riot Act”) to formally warn contractors, construction companies, and other stakeholders to strictly adhere to due diligence procedures. This includes confirming the location of underground utilities before embarking on excavation or road construction projects.

To enhance preventive measures, he requested the support of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure by dessiminate information to contractors executing federal and state  projects. This, he explained, would enable improved coordination, monitoring, and proactive engagement to prevent avoidable damage to telecom installations.

Responding, the Honourable Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Kabiru Abbass, applauded the NSCDC Commandant for the proactive initiative. He described the engagement as timely and crucial in strengthening collaboration between security agencies and government ministries toward infrastructure protection and service continuity.

The Commandant also revealed plans to convene a joint stakeholders’ meeting involving the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Economy, NSCDC, telecommunications operators, and contractors executing Federal and  state projects.

According to plans, the meeting will provide a platform for technical briefings, policy alignment, and the development of coordinated operational strategies to address the recurring damage to fibre-optic cables and related infrastructure.

He added that the Command will furnish the Ministry and other relevant stakeholders with documented reports and official communications received from the Office of the National Security Adviser concerning telecom infrastructure protection. These documents will support informed policy formulation and operational compliance at the state level.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to sustained inter-agency cooperation and collective responsibility in protecting critical communication infrastructure across Niger State.