Telecom theft crisis deepens as operators lose 656 generators, batteries in one year

Nigeria’s telecom industry is facing a growing crisis as infrastructure theft continues to erode network stability, with operators losing hundreds of critical assets in a single year.

Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that 656 power assets, including 152 generators and 504 batteries, were stolen from telecom sites across the country in 2025 alone. The scale of the losses underscores a persistent threat to connectivity, despite regulatory efforts to protect telecom infrastructure.

While the federal government had earlier designated telecom assets as critical national infrastructure, the reality on the ground suggests that enforcement has remained weak, allowing theft and vandalism to persist.

Theft wave persists despite protections

Rather than slowing down, the trend appears to be worsening. Early data from 2026 indicates that telecom operators are still grappling with widespread losses. Within just the first two months of the year, 64 batteries and 17 generators were reported stolen.

Cable theft has also surged significantly. In January 2026, 160 cases were recorded, more than double the 74 incidents reported during the same period in 2025. February followed a similar pattern, with 151 cases compared to 73 a year earlier. Diesel theft has also intensified, with 222 incidents recorded between January and February.

According to the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), these attacks are not isolated events but part of a broader pattern of sabotage affecting multiple states, including Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Kaduna, and the FCT.

ALTON chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, said the thefts are severely disrupting network services, leading to outages and degraded connectivity for millions of users. He noted that key components such as fibre-optic cables, generators, and power systems, which form the backbone of telecom operations, are routinely targeted.

Youth surge drives Nigeria’s latest voter registration push past 3.4 million

Billions lost as operators struggle to cope

Beyond service disruptions, the financial impact on operators is mounting rapidly. Industry experts estimate that replacing stolen infrastructure now costs billions of naira annually.

Lagos-based telecom consultant Adewale Adeoye explained that a single base station generator can cost around ₦3.5 million, meaning the cumulative losses from stolen equipment are substantial.

He added that operators may need to rethink their approach by investing more aggressively in securing their facilities, rather than relying solely on government protection.

The crisis is further compounded by rising fibre cuts, which have spiked sharply in recent months. Despite policy interventions and stricter regulations, telecom infrastructure remains highly vulnerable.

For an industry already under pressure from rising costs and increasing demand for reliable connectivity, the continued wave of theft poses a serious threat, not just to operators, but to Nigeria’s broader digital economy.