FG raises alarm on rising cases of cybercrimes as EFCC records 1084 suspects a month

The federal government has expressed concern over rising cybercrime in Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard the data security of citizens in the digital realm.

This was disclosed at a multisectoral stakeholder meeting on the cyber crimes awareness campaign organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.

The Solicitor-General of the Federation, (SGF) and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba and along with the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission ( EFCC), Ola Olukoyede observed with regret that the advancement of new technology has made it easier and smarter for cyber criminals to explore the vulnerabilities on digital platforms to perform their sordid Enterprise.

They stressed that as technology evolves rapidly, the complexity and scale of cyber threats increase, hence the need to tackle the dangers that come with the negative impacts of the internet.

The SGF in a welcome address noted that the digital transformation which has really redefined life in the post-covid era resulted in a negative increase in cyber crimes.

In his goodwill message, EFCC chairman revealed that as an agency charged with the responsibility of enforcing Economic and Financial Crime and cyber crimes, “we have successfully investigated and prosecuted several cases of cybercrimes and so far recorded 395 convictions in advance free fraud cases and 1084 cybercrime conviction in this 2023.”

Also in his remarks the Inspector General of police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun also disclosed that the rising level of cybercrime activities is posing a threat to socio economic life of Nigerians.

He therefore stressed that there is an urgent need for agencies of government to collaborate and tackle the menace .

“The Nigeria Police Force recognizes the urgency and gravity of the exponential rise in cybercrime activities which portends significant threats to individuals, organizations and indeed the entire public sector and has therefore re-invented itself with a vast cybersecurity strategy to ensure the safety and security of the entire citizenry in the digital space.”

The IG said, “As the lead law enforcement agency in internal security, we remain highly committed and immensely proud to collaborate with various stakeholders including the organizers of this program and other international organizations to develop an enduring strategy and framework that will safeguard our digital landscape. ”

The Senate committee Chairman on ICT and Cyber security, Afolabi Salisu in his remark noted that the Nigerian cybercrime Act 2015 is now obsolete and needs to be reviewed to tackle the current challenges from cyberspace.

He expressed the willingness of the national assembly to urgently commence the review of the act to accommodate the current challenges of cyber crimes.

The Senate committee chair on cyber crimes also urged the national orientation Agency to ensure that the ills associated with cybercrime are well known to the public.

The lawmaker added that to harmonize Nigeria Nigeria cyberspace law for more interagency collaboration to combat the menace.