The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has stepped up its fight against online crimes with a one-day Cybercrime Awareness Campaign in Abuja.
The event was organised to promote safe internet use, digital literacy, and public awareness on cyber threats.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Sunday, said the campaign was part of the police’s ongoing efforts to protect citizens in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital space.
Hundeyin said the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Sadiq Abubakar, reaffirmed the commitment of the police to keep Nigerians safe online.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring a safer digital space for all Nigerians,” Egbetokun said.
The Director of the Cybercrime Centre, Uche Henry, thanked partner agencies and organisations for their continued support and urged Nigerians to take online safety seriously.
He said, “The fight against cybercrime requires a collective effort. Today’s digital age demands that Nigerians are not just users but guardians of their own cybersecurity.”
Henry added that the campaign would not be a one-time effort but part of ongoing plans to build public resilience against online threats.
“This campaign is part of our mandate to make citizens more aware and resilient to online threats. We will continue to build on this foundation by expanding cyber education, improving reporting channels, and strengthening our enforcement capacity,” he said.
The event drew over 3,000 participants, including students, government officials, private organisations, digital platforms, and security agencies. It featured an awareness walk, information-sharing sessions, and a musical performance to drive home the message in a lively way.
Hundeyin said the campaign showed the police’s renewed focus on creating a culture of cyber awareness and citizen empowerment in the digital space.
“The campaign once again demonstrated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to securing the country’s digital environment and educating citizens to stay smart and stay safe online,” he added.
The Nigeria Police Cybercrime Centre was set up to tackle crimes such as online fraud, identity theft, and cyberbullying. It works with agencies like the Nigerian Communications Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the National Information Technology Development Agency.
Nigeria loses billions of naira every year to cybercrime, according to the NCC. The police have therefore introduced several initiatives, including public sensitisation and the training of cyber investigators, to strengthen the country’s digital security.
