President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the state-of-the-art National Cybercrime Centre to bolster the capabilities of Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies.
Represented by the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Tinubu emphasized the government’s dedication to investing in the Nigeria Police Force through the provision of arms, weapons, equipment, recruitment, and continuous training to enhance the force’s preparedness and effectiveness.
“This administration remains resolute in the fight against all forms of criminality. As emerging and rapid categories of offenses, cybercrimes are a new frontier in the battle. We are witnessing a rise in the threat posed by cybercriminals, online financial fraudsters, and cyber terrorists who use the internet to coordinate and carry out destabilizing and nefarious activities,” Tinubu stated.
He noted that the development of technology, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the advent of 5G technology have expanded the scope and diversity of cyberspace threats. Tinubu highlighted the federal government’s proactive measures, including the review of the cybercrime plan, aimed at mitigating the diverse crimes posed by cybercriminals.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, represented by the Director of Police Services Department, Mr. Ibrahim Muhammad, remarked on the high level of criminality occurring in cyberspace. “The highest form of criminality today takes place in cyberspace and has continued to spread like wildfire, especially among the younger ones, causing a lot of harm and havoc to society,” he said, commending the Nigeria Police Force for their swift actions in addressing cyber threats through the establishment of the Cybercrime Centre.
Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, described the facility as a revolutionary step in policing for Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. “The NPF National Cybercrime Centre emboldens our commitment to harnessing technology, innovation, and collaboration to address the growing challenges posed by cybercrimes and their related offenses. This centre represents a new frontier in law enforcement where we are leveraging cutting-edge tools, expertise, and partnerships to protect, investigate, and combat cybercrimes,” Egbetokun stated.
