President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, promised to empower the Nigeria Police Force with more weapons and recruitment of personnel to boost its capacity to fight crimes.
This was as the President demanded an end to inter-agency rivalry among law enforcement agencies in the country.
He expressed concern about the rising cases of cybercrimes in the country, noting that it takes synergy among security agencies to tackle the menace.
The President, represented by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bossun Tijani, spoke during the inauguration of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said, “The security situation in the country is a complex blend of threats posed by well-organised non-state actors. Addressing it requires a concerted approach by all stakeholders within the security architecture. I, therefore, call for the elimination of inter-agency rivalries and urge law enforcement agencies to embrace a coordinated, collaborative approach.”
Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration would invest in the procurement of arms to ensure the police force was well-equipped.
He said, “In line with our policy objective of reforming the Nigerian Police Force, we are committed to investing further in the Nigeria Police Force through procurement of sufficient arms and other critical equipment, as well as recruitment and continuous training to boost the number, quality, and preparedness of our police personnel.”
Tinubu, who described cybercrimes as a new frontier of offences, stated that the country was witnessing a rise in threats posed by cybercriminals.
He, however, said his administration was committed to curtailing all forms of criminality in the country.
Tinubu said, “This administration remains resolute in the fight against all forms of criminality. As an emerging and rapidly evolving category of offence, cybercrimes are a new frontier in that battle. We are witnessing a rise in threats posed by cybercriminals, online financial fraudsters, and cyber-terrorists who use the Internet to coordinate and carry out their destabilising and nefarious activities.
“It is impossible to overstate the size of this challenge. The rapid emergence of technologies, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the advent of 5G technology have all contributed to widening the scope and diversity of cyber-based threats. Since 2020, Nigeria has witnessed an unprecedented surge in the use of social media to spread subversive messages and incite violence and arrest.”
Tinubu said the Federal Government had taken several policy decisions, including the review of the National Cybercrime Strategy, to mitigate the multifaceted threats posed by cybercrimes.
He added, “Our objective is to usher Nigeria into a bright future driven by a prosperous cyberspace and digital economy. Prioritising the security of our cyberspace, this administration is committed to enhancing the social security of Nigerians and tackling the economic and security challenges facing our country while also providing us with a platform to improve our credibility as a safe destination for foreign investment in the digital world.”
The President called for collaboration between the centre and the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure a greater level of scrutiny of online activities
He said, “I hope that this centre will complement the ONSA in the protection of our critical national infrastructures by enabling a greater level of scrutiny of the online activities of those who seek to cause damage to our national interests. The security situation in the country is a complex blend of threats posed by well-organised non-state actors.”
Speaking, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said the centre had achieved a lot of results within the short period of its take-off.
He said, “It will interest Your Excellency to know that the centre has proactively engaged in high-profile interventions bordering on cybercrime-related infiltrations and attacks.
“Some of these attacks were carried out on government and non-governmental agencies. Many of the suspects in these cases were arrested and prosecuted, while trial is still ongoing in some of the fresh cases recorded.”
Egbetokun also said 70 per cent of stolen funds and assets had been recovered by the centre.
He said, “Seventy per cent of the stolen funds and assets have been recovered so far. As we embark on this new chapter in the history of the Nigerian Police Force, I want to emphasise that cyber security is a shared responsibility that requires the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders. Together, we can build a resilient and secure cyberspace that enables our nation to thrive, innovate, and prosper in the digital age.”