The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Sokoto State Command, under the leadership of CC, EA Ajayi, has announced that all investigations and prosecutions of offenders targeting Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) will henceforth comply fully with the provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015 and the 2025 Cybercrime Amendment Act. The announcement was made during an interactive session with stakeholders from the telecommunications sector on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, at the Conference Hall of the NSCDC State Command Headquarters, Sokoto.

During the meeting, the State Commandant briefed personnel from relevant departments and units including ICT, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Intelligence and Investigation, Legal Units, and officers from Area Commands and Divisions on the provisions of the Cybercrime Act and the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024. The session emphasized the need for a coordinated and lawful approach to securing critical infrastructure.

The meeting was convened in line with the directives of the Commandant General (CG), Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), specifically regarding the application of cybercrime laws to offences targeting CNII. The CNII designation and protection order of 2024 was highlighted as a key framework for safeguarding national assets.

CC Ajayi explained that individuals apprehended for vandalism or theft of CNII assets such as fiber optic cables, transmission towers, communication bases, and switching stations have historically been prosecuted under conventional laws for theft or malicious damage. He noted, however, that such measures have been insufficient to address the national security, economic, and strategic implications of tampering with critical infrastructure.

He further emphasized that CNII includes networks and facilities in sectors such as telecommunications, finance, energy, transportation, and defence, and that any disruption could have serious consequences for national security, economic stability, and public safety. Protecting these assets is therefore central to the Corps’ mandate in the digital age.

The State Commandant underscored that the gathering was not merely a reaction to security threats but a proactive effort to foster collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning. The goal is to safeguard infrastructure against all forms of vandalism, whether physical, digital, or hybrid, including unauthorized access and data tampering.

Representatives of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) expressed their strong support for the National Protection Policy and Strategy Implementation. They commended the NSCDC for taking decisive steps to protect CNII and emphasized the importance of collaboration between security agencies and private sector stakeholders.

In conclusion, CC Ajayi urged participants to cascade the knowledge gained to other officers and colleagues. He reiterated that effective enforcement, awareness, and teamwork are essential to obliterate vandalism in Sokoto and across the nation, ensuring that Nigeria’s critical infrastructure remains secure and fully capable of supporting socio-economic development in the digital era.