Stakeholders in the cyber security circle and Interpol have converged to find solutions to cybercrime challenges in Africa.
The meeting, tagged: “INTERPOL’S 10th African working group cybercrime units meeting for African heads”, had Interpol’s Director, Cybercrime Directorate Unit, Craig Jones, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Interpol’s Vice President, Africa, Garba Umar.
Speaking at the event, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ede Ayuba, sought more collaboration among member nations of INTERPOL to tackle cybercrime globally.
He noted that in today’s interconnected world, cybercrime has become an evolving threat, affecting individuals, a pervasive business, and governments alike.
“The rise of cybercriminal activities poses significant challenges to our law enforcement agencies, requiring us to adapt swiftly and collaboratively to effectively combat these threats.
“Cybercrime is a global menace that requires the synergy of the entire global law enforcement community as no nation can do it alone. While assuring you of our willingness to deepen the relationship with our partners, I encourage you to leverage the inherent capabilities and resources of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center in our joint effort to effectively combat the evolving cybercrime trend,” Egbetokun noted.
Speaking at the event, the Director, Cybercrime Directorate Unit, Craig Jones, urged all participants to join forces in fighting cybercrime, which is plagueing the world.
“As we gather here today at the forefront of the battle against cybercrime, let us take a moment to acknowledge the crucial role each of you plays in safeguarding our digital world.
“We are here to explore and discuss how we can address the opportunities and challenges in making Africa and the world a safer place, reducing the threat and harm to our communities posed and caused by cybercrime.
“As law enforcement, we serve the communities that we were born into, be it a village, a town, a city, or even an entire country or a region. We live in these communities with our families, our friends, our colleagues; our duty and mission are to protect them all from harm.
“From our first patrol shift, in the community, whether it was on foot, in a vehicle, we engaged with the shop keepers on the street, the schoolteachers or pupils in the classroom, the businesses and leaders in our villages, town and cities.
“The policing responsibility we carry is substantial and ever changing. It involves acquiring information, making decisions, and sometimes dealing with difficult choices.
“Your experience, wisdom, and dedication are invaluable assets in this ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. The challenges we face may seem daunting at times, but it is your resilience and determination that continue to drive progress and innovation in combating cybercrime.
“Are we ready for this? It’s difficult to prepare for the unknown, especially when digitization can improve all our lives but also pose new threats. For every step forward law enforcement makes, criminals seem to stay ahead, becoming more organized and technologically advanced, we are policing in a different community, one that we do not directly patrol or engage with on a day-by-day basis!
“I am here to open this important event and to remind you that we’re in this together. No one person, no single unit, no one organization can ensure our collective safety alone.”
The Vice President for Africa INTERPOL Executive Committee, AIG Garba Baba Umar noted that the meeting would afford nation’s opportunity to put transnational crimes affecting the region, on front burner.
AIG Umar added that the convergence would facilitate direct and in-person interaction amongst the INTERPOL network of national cybercrime.
