In a strategic move to fortify Nigeria’s digital borders, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has officially launched a month-long nationwide awareness campaign focused on online safety and cyber-hygiene.
The initiative, spearheaded by the NPF National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), is designed to curb the rising tide of digital fraud and empower citizens with the tools to protect their virtual identities.
Combating the Borderless Threat
The campaign, titled “Real Odogwu no dey hide face,” serves as a direct intervention against the evolving tactics of cybercriminals. During the flag-off ceremony in Abuja, officials identified several key threats currently targeting Nigerians, including Identity Theft, Romance Scams, Business Email Compromise (BEC), Sextortion, and Phishing.
CP Ifeanyi Uche Henry, PhD, the Director of the NPF-NCCC, underscored that the borderless nature of the internet requires a shift in public mindset.
“Many cyber attacks succeed simply due to a lack of awareness,” CP Henry stated. “This initiative is a response to rising incidents… citizens must adopt responsible online practices to safeguard their digital identities.”
The Cyberhawk Warning
While the campaign focuses heavily on education, the NPF-NCCC maintained a stern stance on enforcement. The Director issued a clear warning to cybercriminals, noting that the Centre’s Cyberhawk teams are utilizing advanced digital tracking mechanisms to locate and prosecute offenders. The message was simple: the law will catch up with those who use the anonymity of the web to defraud others.
Global Partnerships for Digital Safety
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, lauded the initiative and highlighted the role of international cooperation in modern policing. He specifically commended the UK National Crime Agency and the City of London Police for their support.
IGP Disu noted that these international partnerships are essential for securing digital spaces that transcend national boundaries, ensuring that Nigerian law enforcement remains at the cutting edge of global cyber-hygiene standards.
Essential Safety Protocols for Citizens
The Nigeria Police Force is urging the public to treat their digital assets with the same level of security as their physical valuables. To stay safe, the NPF recommends the following Cyber-Hygiene practices such as protecting financial data by ever sharing ATM PINs, OTPs, or BVNs with third parties, strengthen access by adopting strong, unique passwords and enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all social media and banking apps, verify before clicking by avoiding suspicious links or messages that create a false sense of urgency, and use secure channels by always using encrypted and secure communication channels for sensitive personal or corporate information.
The campaign will continue throughout the month, utilizing online platforms to reach Nigerians across the federation and promote a culture of digital vigilance.
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