A syndicate is believed to be specifically targeting MTN Nigeria by cutting and damaging its fibre cables and network, with the telecom reporting damage in at least seven places across the West African country.
A co-ordinated and malicious targeted attack is suspected by MTN Nigeria officials as cuts took place within five minutes of each other.
In a statement released by the mobile services provider, MTN Corporate Services Executive Wale Goodluck said that the company’s engineers are currently battling to restore service quality to acceptable levels following the massive attack on the company’s extensive fibre network.
Goodluck said the fibre network was damaged in seven different areas: between Port Harcourt and Eket, Kano and Zaria, Abuja and Akwanga, Asaba and Owerri, Ahoada and Port Harcourt, Benin and Owo, and Ikeji and Owo.
Goodluck said: “To put matters in perspective, MTN on average suffers more than 70 fibre cuts in various locations across the country every month, but this is most unusual in terms of the spread and the coordination. It is almost as if it is a deliberate act targeted at disrupting service delivery.”
Goodluck concluded by appealing to the people of Nigeria.
“We have to again call on members of the public to assist by reporting any suspicious activity around telecommunications installations, which are critical national infrastructure. By so doing, you will play your part in protecting your right to good services and the full benefits of the ICT revolution.”
