President Bola Tinubu has officially opened the state of the art and digitalized National Cybercrime Centre, aimed at bolstering the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.Â
The president’s speech, delivered by the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, highlighted the government’s dedication to investing in the nation’s police force, on Wednesday.
This investment includes the procurement of sufficient arms, weapons, and other necessary equipment, as well as the recruitment and continuous training of police personnel to improve their numbers, quality, and readiness.
In his address, President Tinubu emphasized the administration’s commitment to combating all forms of criminality, noting that cyber crimes represent a new frontier in this ongoing battle.
He acknowledged the increasing threats posed by cybercriminals, online financial fraudsters, and cyber terrorists, who exploit the internet to orchestrate and execute disruptive and harmful activities.
The president pointed out that the development of technology, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the introduction of 5G technology have expanded the range and complexity of cyberspace threats.
He noted that since 2020, Nigeria has experienced a significant rise in the use of social media to disseminate inflammatory messages and incite violence and unrest.
To address these challenges, the Federal Government has implemented several major policy decisions, including the review of the national cybercrime strategy.
These measures aim to mitigate the various crimes posed by cybercriminals. President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the social security of Nigerians and addressing the economic and security issues facing the country.
He also emphasized the goal of enhancing Nigeria’s reputation as a safe destination for foreign investment in the digital sector.
The president urged the Inspector General of Police to make effective use of the new facility to protect Nigeria’s cyberspace and ensure it contributes to the nation’s development and economic progress.
He expressed hope that the centre would complement the efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in protecting critical national infrastructure and monitoring the online activities of those who seek to harm national interests.
President Tinubu called for the elimination of interagency rivalry and encouraged collaborative efforts to address the complex security threats posed by organized state actors.
Representing the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, the Director of Police Services Department, Ibrahim Muhammad, highlighted the significant threat posed by cybercriminal activities, particularly among young people.
He praised the proactive measures taken by the Nigeria Police Force to address this issue, including the establishment of the cybercrime centre.
Gaidam also revealed that a project titled “National Criminal Data Fusion Centre” is currently underway at the NPF Headquarters.
This project aims to digitize crime data records and facilitate the sharing of crime information among various security agencies in the country.
He noted that the project would be ready for commissioning once the necessary funding is secured.
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, spoke about the significance of the NPF National Cybercrime Centre, emphasizing its role in leveraging technological innovation and collaboration to tackle the growing challenges posed by cybercrimes.
He described the centre as a new frontier in law enforcement, equipped with cutting-edge tools and expertise to protect, investigate, and combat cybercrime.
