NPF-NCCC launches campaign against cybercrime

The Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), Commissioner of Police Uche Henry Ifeanyi, has emphasised the threat cybercrime poses to individuals and the collective well-being of citizens, urging the general public to join the police in taking proactive measures to understand the menace and protect themselves.

CP Ifeanyi said this on Friday at the flag-off of the online cybercrime awareness campaign on “Online Safety and Cyber Hygiene,” organised by the Centre.

The awareness campaign was entitled “Real Odogwu no dey hide im face,” which translates to the wealthy not being hideous if their riches were legitimately acquired.

At the event attended by dignitaries from ministries, departments and agencies, as well as police officers from the South West, South South and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the NPF-NCCC Director expressed concern about the daily increase in cyber threats and attacks in a fast-evolving digital world, describing cybercrime as a borderless and pervasive scourge that affects individuals, businesses, and governments.

According to him, “studies have revealed that the majority of cyber attacks we face are initiated or enabled by victims as a result of ignorance.

“The cybercrime awareness campaign titled ‘Odogwu no dey hide im face’ is an initiative that aims to educate and empower our communities about the significance of online safety.

“We want everyone to recognise that their personal information is invaluable and requires protection. Just as we strive to maintain a sound physical health, we must also strive to maintain a healthy digital lifestyle.”

Cyber threats and attacks, CP Ifeanyi said, ranged from identity theft, romance scams, business email compromise (BEC), sextortion, phishing, and various forms of online harassment.

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He listed online safety practices and cyber hygiene that could reduce the risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime, including not disclosing confidential information to unauthorised persons, using strong, unique passwords, and applying necessary security safeguards using one’s device or digital platform privacy settings.

Others are enabling multi-factor authentication; keeping personal information private, not clicking on unknown or suspicious links; regular updates of software or system patches, usage of antivirus programmes and firewalls, and not falling for gifts, among others.

Noting that market women, artisans, craftsmen and entrepreneurs are also targets for cybercriminals’ exploitation, he advised them not to share the PIN of their ATM card, bank password, one-time password (OTP), or BVN with anyone on the phone or online.

He warned of the consequences of serious cybercrime, which include fines and imprisonment, encouraging those involved to channel their skills to better ways instead of deploying them negatively in perpetration of fraud.

He, with other guests and the management team, thereafter unveiled the campaign board of the “Real Odogwu no dey hide im face.”

Dignitaries in attendance included the National Commissioner, National Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji; Mr Matt Mountain from the National Crime Agency, UK; Mrs Mora Emmanuel-Iroh, who represented the Director General/CEO, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC); the National President, Nigeria Youth Organisation, Duke Alamoye; Deputy Director, NPF-NCCC, DCP Olufemi Akinola; and DCP Sylvester Uzohefuna Jnr.

Also present were the Police Public Relations Officers from Oyo, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade; Lagos, SP Abimbola Adebisi; Ogun, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi; Delta, SP Bright Edafe; Edo, ASP Eno Nkereuwem Ikoedem; the second-in-command to Rivers PPRO, ASP Blessing Agabe; and other police officers.