Rising Spate of Cable Theft In Nigeria: Whose Fault?
By Shuaib Shuaib Agaka
While cable theft might seem like a localized issue affecting the telecom industry, its repercussions extend far beyond severed wires and interrupted services. This covert practice has evolved into a significant threat, imposing substantial costs on both telecom companies and society at large. The pilfering of telecom cables, often for their valuable copper components, has become an all-too-common occurrence, leading to service disruptions, financial losses, and even jeopardizing public safety during critical moments.
Telecom companies, entrusted with providing seamless communication services, find themselves battling an elusive enemy. Despite investing heavily in both technologies and security measures, they continue to face relentless attacks on their infrastructure. The vulnerability of telecom cables to theft highlights systemic weaknesses in safeguarding critical assets.
The economic costs associated with cable theft are staggering. Telecom companies bear the expenses of repairing and replacing stolen cables, not to mention the revenue losses incurred during service downtime. These costs ultimately trickle down to consumers in the form of higher service charges, creating an economic burden that reverberates throughout society.
During 2022, mobile network operators spent more than N13 billion repairing damages to fiber cuts and other telecommunication infrastructure. By 2023, this expenditure had surged to N27 billion.
Additionally, telecommunications sector operators experienced revenue declines totaling N12 billion in both 2022 and 2023, primarily attributed to expenses related to customer compensation, site relocations, and investments in fiber resilience.
Moreover, the impact of cable theft extends well beyond the immediate financial losses incurred by telecom companies. Disrupted communication services not only inconvenience customers but also disrupt vital operations for businesses, emergency services, and government agencies. Imagine a scenario where a critical call for help or a time-sensitive business transaction is thwarted due to a stolen cable-such disruptions can have far-reaching consequences.
Furthermore, cable theft has a ripple effect on national economies. In an increasingly interconnected world reliant on seamless communication, any disruption in telecom services can impede productivity, disrupt supply chains, and dampen economic growth.
Countries with high incidences of cable theft may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage, deterring foreign investments and innovation in telecommunications infrastructure.
The blame game surrounding cable theft inevitably leads us to scrutinize the preparedness and responsibility of telecom companies, whose infrastructure forms the primary target for thieves. Despite being aware of the persistent threat posed by cable theft, telecom companies have been criticized for their perceived lack of adequate measures to deter and prevent such incidents.
One of the fundamental issues highlighted is the vulnerability of telecom infrastructure due to inadequate physical security measures. Many telecom cables are laid underground or strung along utility poles, making them accessible to determined thieves. The absence of robust barriers, alarms, or surveillance systems in vulnerable areas increases the risk of unauthorized access and theft.
Moreover, the scale of telecom networks spanning vast geographical areas poses logistical challenges in monitoring and securing every inch of cable infrastructure effectively. Maintaining round-the-clock surveillance and rapid response capabilities across sprawling networks requires substantial investments in manpower and technology, which some telecom companies may deem cost-prohibitive.
Furthermore, the reliance on traditional security measures such as fences, locks, and periodic patrols may no longer suffice in deterring sophisticated theft syndicates equipped with advanced tools and techniques.
Critics argue that while telecom companies prioritize customer acquisition and service expansion to remain competitive, investments in robust security infrastructure often take a back seat. This approach focused more on addressing incidents after they occur rather than proactively preventing them, underscores the need for a paradigm shift in risk management strategies within the telecom industry.
Another player in the blame game is law enforcement. Examining the role of law enforcement in addressing cable theft reveals a landscape filled with challenges and complexities.
While law enforcement agencies are tasked with maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law, their effectiveness in combating cable theft has often been called into question.
One of the primary challeng
