By Our Correspondent
National News – Rising attacks on telecommunications infrastructure across Nigeria are raising fresh fears about the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Stakeholders in the telecom and civil society sectors warn that vandalism targeting critical assets could disrupt communication systems relied upon for election coordination and result transmission.
The concern stems from increasing incidents reported across at least 14 states, including Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to industry data, criminals stole no fewer than 656 key power assets in 2025, including generators and batteries, while over 1,300 diesel theft incidents and frequent fibre optic cuts were recorded.
These disruptions, experts say, directly affect network stability used by the electoral body for accreditation, communication, and real-time result uploads.
Telecom operators explained that the attacks are happening amid weak enforcement and rising insecurity.
Tony Emoekpere, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, said the crisis has moved beyond routine challenges, stressing that damaged infrastructure leads to dropped calls, slow data, and total outages in rural areas.
Experts added that Nigeria’s digital infrastructure remains fragile, making it vulnerable to such sustained attacks.
Civil society groups and opposition figures expressed concern over why the situation persists, with some alleging possible sabotage, while others blamed poor protection of national assets.
They urged the government to strengthen security around telecom sites and prosecute offenders.
Analysts also warned that continued vandalism could undermine public trust in the electoral process.
To address how the risk can be mitigated, stakeholders recommended backup systems such as satellite technology and manual result transmission with enhanced security.
They stressed that contingency planning is critical to ensure elections proceed smoothly regardless of network challenges.
The Independent National Electoral Commission acknowledged the issue and said it would assess the challenges and provide solutions before the polls.
Observers insist that decisive action now will determine whether Nigeria can deliver credible elections in 2027.
