diff --git a/src/core/thread/network_data_local.cpp b/src/core/thread/network_data_local.cpp
index 119601a00..7299befc1 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/network_data_local.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/network_data_local.cpp
@@ -64,11 +64,6 @@ exit:
     return error;
 }
 
-Error Local::RemoveOnMeshPrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix)
-{
-    return RemovePrefix(aPrefix, NetworkDataTlv::kTypeBorderRouter);
-}
-
 bool Local::ContainsOnMeshPrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix) const
 {
     const PrefixTlv *tlv;
@@ -95,18 +90,13 @@ exit:
     return error;
 }
 
-Error Local::RemoveHasRoutePrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix)
-{
-    return RemovePrefix(aPrefix, NetworkDataTlv::kTypeHasRoute);
-}
-
 Error Local::AddPrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix, NetworkDataTlv::Type aSubTlvType, uint16_t aFlags, bool aStable)
 {
     Error      error = kErrorNone;
     uint8_t    subTlvLength;
     PrefixTlv *prefixTlv;
 
-    IgnoreError(RemovePrefix(aPrefix, aSubTlvType));
+    IgnoreError(RemovePrefix(aPrefix));
 
     subTlvLength = (aSubTlvType == NetworkDataTlv::kTypeBorderRouter)
                        ? sizeof(BorderRouterTlv) + sizeof(BorderRouterEntry)
@@ -147,13 +137,12 @@ exit:
     return error;
 }
 
-Error Local::RemovePrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix, NetworkDataTlv::Type aSubTlvType)
+Error Local::RemovePrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix)
 {
     Error      error = kErrorNone;
     PrefixTlv *tlv;
 
     VerifyOrExit((tlv = FindPrefix(aPrefix)) != nullptr, error = kErrorNotFound);
-    VerifyOrExit(tlv->FindSubTlv(aSubTlvType) != nullptr, error = kErrorNotFound);
     RemoveTlv(tlv);
 
 exit:
diff --git a/src/core/thread/network_data_local.hpp b/src/core/thread/network_data_local.hpp
index 3d75d01f8..ec274d1dd 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/network_data_local.hpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/network_data_local.hpp
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public:
      * @retval kErrorNotFound   Could not find the Border Router entry.
      *
      */
-    Error RemoveOnMeshPrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix);
+    Error RemoveOnMeshPrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix) { return RemovePrefix(aPrefix); }
 
     /**
      * This method indicates whether or not the Thread Network Data contains a given on mesh prefix.
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ public:
      * @retval kErrorNotFound   Could not find the Border Router entry.
      *
      */
-    Error RemoveHasRoutePrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix);
+    Error RemoveHasRoutePrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix) { return RemovePrefix(aPrefix); }
 #endif // OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_BORDER_ROUTER_ENABLE
 
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_TMF_NETDATA_SERVICE_ENABLE
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ private:
 
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_BORDER_ROUTER_ENABLE
     Error AddPrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix, NetworkDataTlv::Type aSubTlvType, uint16_t aFlags, bool aStable);
-    Error RemovePrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix, NetworkDataTlv::Type aSubTlvType);
+    Error RemovePrefix(const Ip6::Prefix &aPrefix);
     void  UpdateRloc(PrefixTlv &aPrefixTlv);
 #endif