MTN, an information and Communications Technology company in Nigeria, has reported criminal damage to its fibre optic cable network in at least seven different locations across the country.
A statement on Friday said all the fibre cuts happened within five minutes intervals, leading the company's officials to suspect a coordinated attack.
MTN Corporate Services Executive, Mr. Wale Goodluck, was quoted in the statement as saying that the company's engineers were currently battling to restore service quality to acceptable levels following the massive attack on the company's extensive fibre network.
He insisted that the fibre network was violated in seven locations between Port Harcourt and Eket, Kano and Zaria, Abuja and Akwanga, Asaba and Owerri, Ahoada and Port Harcourt, Benin and Owo and finally, between Ikeji and Owo.
"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," he said.
Goodluck noted that the company had already notified security operatives of the development and would avail them of all necessary cooperation to track those responsible for the act.
Goodluck appealed to Nigerians to protect telecommunications installations in their localities as they are responsible for bringing telecoms services to them and to other members of the society.
"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," Goodluck said.
