Henceforth, criminals and vandals that engage in the destruction of critical telecom infrastructure assets shall be arrested by security agencies in the country.
Towards this end, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and security agencies in the country are going to partner with security agencies to arrest, prosecute vandals and other offenders that damage the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) in the country.
According to NCC, the move is one of the decisive mechanisms aimed at addressing the rising cyber threats and vulnerabilities causing damage, disruption to communication infrastructure in the Nigerian digital space.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, gave the assurance at a recent interactive media session, in Abuja, FCT
He described telecommunications services as crucial for ensuring national security, particularly in addressing issues that require effective communication.
The NCC boss stressed that achieving national security would be impossible without effective telecommunications in Nigeria.
The Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the Commission, represented at the forum by Mrs. Nnena Ukoha, Head of Corporate Communications Management, Public Affairs Department, also said anyone found guilty of damage to the CNII henceforth would be prosecuted.
He stated: “Anyone found liable for damaging or disrupting CNII will be prosecuted going forward.
“We are working with relevant agencies like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to tackle these problems and prosecute offenders.”
Maida: Telecoms holds ace to all sectors of Nigerian economy
Underlining the strategic importance of stable telecoms infrastructure to every sector of the economy, Dr. Maida said: “We started highlighting the need for an order to protect the infrastructure, so that people will know that those infrastructure are critical to service provision.
“We all know that telecommunications services are now vital in all aspects of the economy.
“If the infrastructure are not well maintained all socio-economic activities will be affected.”
Highlighting the benefits of communication infrastructure to the entire economy, he explained: “We all know that telecommunications infrastructure plays a vital role in national security due to increasing cyberthreats and vulnerabilities that can damage and disrupt communication infrastructure.
“Telecommunications also plays a vital role in public welfare, contributing to the growth of a digital society.
Maida stated: “It provides an enabling environment for socialisation and access to services.
“Without a robust telecommunications infrastructure, the public cannot fully enjoy these services provided.”
