Personnel of the Nigerian police, along with members of various civil society organisations, embarked on a freedom walk in Enugu on Tuesday to sensitize the youth and residents of the Southeast region about the ills of cybercrime.
The event, organized by the South Saharan Social Development Organization and Spaces for Change (S4C), in collaboration with the Nigerian Police National Cyber Crime Centre, aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of cybercrime in society.
The walk saw policemen, CSOs, and youths marching through the streets of Enugu and visiting several schools to educate the public.
Speaking during the event, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Nigerian Police National Cybercrime Centre, Force Headquarters, Henry Ifeanyi Uche, lamented that many young people are getting involved in cybercrime, defrauding and scamming numerous individuals.
“Some of them don’t even know that there are consequences for their actions. I believe that anybody who goes into cybercrime should be able to understand that there are consequences for their actions.
“So, we’re here basically to tell our youngsters that it’s not good to go into cybercrime,” he said.
He added that part of the sensitisation was on how people, especially the youth, can stay safe online.
“This is because it’s a very big issue. You can’t get what you don’t have. It’s only when you understand your right as a citizen and what to do so that you won’t become a victim of online scammers.
“So many of our citizens don’t even know what to do when confronted with cyber-attacks. So, when you see unsolicited messages, you are not supposed to click on them. You must ensure that you have a very strong password. Some of us who normally use our date of birth, first names, family names etc as passwords should desist because they’re very weak passwords. You should be able to generate complex passwords that will help you stay safe online.
“Our walk here is simply to tell our people how to wash their cyber hands and practice cyber hygiene. What I mean by all this is observing the security tips as I have already enumerated to protect yourself,” he said.
Uche, who appreciated the organisers of the event, called on the citizens to join hands in the fight against cybercrime because it is not something the Nigerian police or security agencies can do alone.
“It requires a collective approach. That’s why we’re working with some non-governmental organisations, who organised this in conjunction with the Nigerian Police Force Cyber Crime. So, we need all hands to be on deck,” the CP said.
The finance and administration manager of South Saharan Social Development Organization, Udoamaka Okoye, noted that the group with her S4C partners organnised the freedom walk on cybercrime because it had become a very serious issue with teenagers and young adults, some of who are only concentrating attention on how to hack into systems, yahoo boys and those kind of thing.
“For us, as a civil society organization, we think that our contribution to curbing this menace is to make people aware of the dangers that come with cybercrime. And in line with Nigerian laws, if you are caught, there are punishments for such actions. We’re telling the youth that whatever it is they are doing, they must be careful not to fall a victim,” she said.
Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has announced the establishment of a cybercrime research centre as part of measures to build capacities against internet fraud.
Olukoyede made this revelation in Ilorin, Kwara state, during a town hall meeting.
The meeting, themed: “Uniting the Youths Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” was organized by the Ilorin zonal directorate of the EFCC to mark the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day.
Speaking through the zonal director, Harry Erin, Olukoyede stated that the anti-graft agency had initiated numerous measures to educate and engage young people against cybercrime.
He emphasised the compelling need for young people to unite and confront the monster of corruption, advising them to envision a better future by choosing the pathway of integrity.
“As we always say, taking shortcuts always cuts people short. Reject the shortcut of corruption and your future will be established”, he said.
He said that corruption affects every age group, adding that corruption bites harder against the prospects and possibilities of youths.
“This makes it more binding on young people to tackle it more fiercely than any other age group.
Every young person needs an equal opportunity for self-expression. But this is impossible in societies where favouritism, nepotism, partisan and other extraneous considerations tilt opportunities in favour of some few privileged people. This is not good for the youths and it is for this reason that they need to forge a united front against corruption”, he said.
The EFCC boss said that one of the routes that can be taken by youths to achieve unity in the fight against corruption is deliberate synergy against graft.
“They can do this by forming associations, clubs, think tanks, and societies that promote good values. It is high time youths joined hands together to pursue values that will add strength to their lives.
“Youths can also unite against corruption by exposing tendencies and actions that run counter to accountability and right values in their neighbourhood. This is simply a whistle-blowing opportunity for youths. There is no way corruption can be tackled if we allow it around us without a challenge. Youths have formidable roles to play in this regard”, he said
Earlier, a legal practitioner, John Baiyeshea (SAN) recommended serious legislation as punishment for people caught stealing Nigeria’s commonwealth.
He urged the country’s legal system to wake up to its responsibility of applying appropriate sanctions against corrupt leaders.
The senior advocate of Nigeria, who was the keynote speaker, asked pastors and imams in the country to correctively decree God’s judgement on corrupt leaders.
“I urge pastors and Imams to collectively decree God’s judgement on corrupt people. They should remind God of His words in the scriptures against people stealing our collective patrimony,” Baiyeshea added.
Baiyeshea also recommended the death penalty for people found to have corruptly enriched themselves with the country’s patrimony.
The senior lawyer said this in Ilorin, Kwara state at a town hall meeting organised by the Ilorin zonal directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The meeting was organised ahead of this year’s International Anti-corruption Day.
He added that “corruption is the greatest industry in Nigeria and it has led to economic collapse. That is why there is poverty and hunger in a land that God has blessed us to flourish. The way those who are stealing our collective commonwealth.
“We export corruption because the money that our people steal in billions of dollars is residing in those countries and it is cheap money in their systems. Something is fundamentally wrong with our system.
“Those corrupt people are stronger than our legal system. They are stronger than our law enforcement agencies.
“That is why I recommend the death sentence as punishment against treasury looters. In Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and North Korea punishing treasury looters is a death sentence. We should not be afraid to sentence to death those stealing our money.
“The wealth of the country of over 200 million people is in the hands of about 2000 people, according to a study. This is the only country where we hero-worship corrupt people.
“If forefathers of the Americas, Europe had stolen the countries’ money where will our children be running to now?”
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday, December 2, reaffirmed the capabilities and expertise of the Nigeria Police Force in tackling cybercrimes and protecting cyberspace in Nigeria and beyond.
Egbetokun said this while commending the Police operatives attached to Zone 7 command and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) Abuja for bursting a group of foreign nationals involved in a series of cybercrimes including internet fraud and marketing scams
The suspects were arrested on the 3rd of November 2024 in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
During investigation, operatives of the NPF-NCCC recovered a vast array of digital critical evidence, believed to be instrumental in the syndicate’s cybercrime operations.
The recovered items include 1 Black Toyota Tundra vehicle, laptops of different makes, smartphones of various brands, tablets, desktops, computers and keyboards, Harman/Kardon sound system, MTN routers, Huawei routers, Airtel routers, D-Link routers, Starlink routers, Gamepads, 1 Sony PlayStation 5, a central processing unit, Multiple SIM cards from both local international service Providers, High-capacity servers, Drones and specialized cyber equipment, international passports, identity cards, and travel documents.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the assets recovered are suspected to have been used in executing a range of cybercrime activities, including unauthorized data breaches, marketing scams and other cybercrime activities.
He said the scale and sophistication of the operation underscores the increasing global threat posed by cybercriminal syndicates operating across borders.
As a follow-up to the investigation and recoveries, compiled with credible evidence against the suspects, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has arraigned the 113 foreign nationals facing serious charges, including computer-related fraud, unlawful access to data, marketing scams, money laundering, conspiracy, and illegal immigration, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Adejobi said: “The arraignment of these suspects follows extensive investigations that have uncovered the alleged involvement of these individuals in criminal activities spanning both cybercrime, immigration offences and human trafficking networks.
“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and Embassies to track and prosecute cybercriminals, combat cybercrime and other forms of transnational criminal activity and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable under Nigerian law.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D, NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the Force to leverage the emerging technological advancement to protect the citizens of Nigeria both physically and in the digital space, further reiterates that the Force is well-dedicated and well-equipped to combat cases of cybercrime in the country.”
SIR: Nigeria’s drastic descent down the moral and economic ladder has thrown its teeming young people into an impossible spin, forcing them to take a draining decision between hunger and holiness, vice and virtue.
According to the EFCC, Nigeria lost $500 million in 2022 alone to cybercrime. Nigeria may have all sorts of challenges with sourcing, sorting and saving data, but the fact is that any figure close to the calculation of the country’s losses as a result of cybercrime should send alarm bells whirring.
Amidst the unprecedented opportunities offered by technology, especially information and communication technology, and the tremendous challenge posed by biting hunger and bristling unemployment, many young Nigerians have taken to cybercrime. The road they take is as rusty as it is riveting.
Over the internet, while using as many aliases as they can invent, they hunt foreigners, especially Europeans and South Americans, who are on a quest to love and be loved, and have a few quid to give. Using all manner of subterfuge, these Nigerians succeed in getting their foreign ‘lovers’ to part with considerable sums of money.
Given how catastrophic the exchange rate has become for Nigeria, these monies, meagre in the hands of their original owners, become a little fortune once they cross international finance lines. For many of the boys involved, it is like winning a jackpot; a considerable cash-out; a veritable payday.
These days, it is not uncommon to see primary school pupils declare that they want to be ‘yahoo boys’ in the nearest future, or secondary school students who are unapologetic about what they do. As for many students of tertiary institutions, pride is all they take in their lifestyle.
The society has been caught in this tailspin of quick money with very little pain. In the face of these ‘emergency millionaires’, the moral structure of the society is running the risk of collapsing. Many parents basking in the new-found wealth of their children consider it an aberration to question what they do for a living. Some of them even flaunt their children’s wealth while mocking parents whose children are yet to ‘make it.’ Not made it.
In the face of this surge of cybercrime and its ill-gotten proceeds, what are the relevant Nigerian authorities doing? There is always the usual pontification about the need to be good citizens of the country and shun crime by those who are hardly model citizens themselves. There is also the occasional prosecution and incarceration of suspects, including raids on so-called ‘yahoo academies.’ But a country haunted by its inability to provide for its young people is one likely to be hamstrung in questioning their crimes of survival.
But beyond what the relevant authorities are doing to curb cybercrime is what they are not doing to check the rampaging menace that is corroding the moral fibre of young children even before they are strong enough to know their right from their left.
It is common knowledge that some men of Nigeria’s security agencies have turned some of these yahoo boys into cash cows thereby aiding and abetting their crimes. These unscrupulous personnel who have become suspiciously wealthy themselves feign raiding these boys occasionally, extort considerable sums from them and let them go to continue their illicit enterprise of deceiving unsuspecting foreigners.
With the impossible expansion of the cyberspace, crime has become as numerous as opportunities. Both are growing rapidly. What is Nigeria’s choice in it all?
Nigeria must choose combat rather than collusion in cybercrime. It must confront the menace headlong. A key part of its fight must be giving Nigeria’s youth options that can at least match the fleeting comforts of cybercrime. However, in a country strangled by the cost of living crisis and soaring unemployment, the fear is real that Nigeria lacks the weapons to contend with what the EFCC chairman himself has described as the third-largest GDP in the world.
Unless Nigeria takes drastic measures, the pull of cybercrime will not only push Nigeria’s young over the precipice but would pulverize the entire country.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun on Wednesday said cybercrime poses significant threats to national security.
Egbetokun said this while declaring open the maiden Nigerian Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF NCCC) 2024 Cybersecurity Week with the theme “Secure Our World”.
Represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Bala Ciroma, the IG said cybercrime is not a mere technical issue but a matter of national security that requires immediate attention.
He averred that cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated and employing advanced techniques to invade detection and target vulnerability in emerging technologies.
According to him: “This gathering is a testament to our collective resolve and commitment to confronting cyber crime which has become one of the most significant challenges of our time. It also highlight our share determination to address this critical issue and work together toward a safer and more secured digital world. As we embrace the digital age, we must also confront the stake reality that cyber threats pose significant threats to our national security.
“Cyber Criminals operate across borders, exploiting vulnerability in our systems and targeting individuals businesses and government institutions. These threats can disrupt critical infrastructure, compromise sensitive information and undermine the very fabric of our society”.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abiodun Alabi said that securing cyberspace is now inseparable from securing the physical world in era dominated by digital economy and technology.
He said that crime fighting world over have shifted from reactive to proactive policing, preventing crimes before they occur, stating that cybercrime knows no borders and therefore, presents global challenge and demands international collaboration.
“As a DIG FCID, I have witnessed the convergence of traditional and cybercrime. Crimes like fraud, espionage and terrorism now occur in cyberspace with criminal exploiting the internet anonymity to expand their reach globally,” he said.
The Nigerian Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF NCCC), he said, is at the forefront of combating cybercrime with experts skilled in digital forensics, data analysis and cybersecurity, adding that their groundbreaking works have dismantled major cybercrime networks both domestically and internationally, securing sectors like banking, telecommunications and critical national infrastructure.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security and law enforcement agencies to scale up efforts at cracking down individuals or organisations involved in cybercrime and transnational car theft.
A statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information on Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President also sent a strong message to the global community, affirming that Nigeria would not be a haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries.
The President hailed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its recent handover of 53 vehicles and $180,300 to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to be returned to two Canadian citizens who were victims of cybercrimes perpetrated by some Nigerians.
Here are five Nigerians serving jail terms in the USA for cybercrime
1. Invictus Obi Celebrated entrepreneur Obinwanne Okeke popularly known as Invictus Obi was handed a ten-year prison sentence on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, by a U.S. federal court for masterminding an $11 million cyber fraud on a British company.
Okeke was held in the US since August 2019 on charges of computer and wire fraud and had previously pleaded guilty.
“In April 2018, a Unatrac executive fell prey to a phishing email that allowed conspirators to capture login credentials,” according to the court statement.
“The conspirators sent fraudulent wire transfer requests and attached fake invoices. Okeke participated in the effort to victimize Unatrac through fraudulent wire transfers totaling nearly $11 million, which was transferred overseas,” the statement added.
He formally pleaded guilty to charges relating to $11 million computer-based fraud transacted between 2015 and 2019.
2. Hushpuppi
Rahman Abbas, a popular Instagram celebrity, known as Hushpuppi, Hush, or Ray Hushpupp is serving a sentence of 11 years in the US.
Hushpuppy, now convicted as a notorious fraudster, was sentenced by United StatesI, who also ordered him to pay $1,732,841 in restitution to two fraud victims.
He was sentenced in the United States District Judge Otis Wright to 11 years for conspiracy to launder money obtained from business email compromise frauds and other scams, including schemes that defrauded a US law firm out of approximately $40 million, illegally transferred $14.7 million from a foreign financial institution, and targeted to steal $124 million from an English Premier League club.
3. Abidemi Rufai
A United States district court on Monday September 26, 2022 sentenced Abidemi Rufai, a suspended aide of Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, to five years’ imprisonment for fraud.
The District Court in Western Tacoma in Washington jailed Rufai for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
With the stolen identities, he attempted to steal nearly $2.4 million from the United States government, including approximately $500,000 in pandemic-related unemployment benefits.
Mr Rufai, 45, who pleaded guilty to the charges in May, was said to have succeeded in defrauding 12 US agencies of $600,000 paid out into bank accounts controlled by him.
4-5. Samuel and Samson Ogoshi
A US court on Friday, September 6, sentenced two Nigerian brothers, Samuel Ogoshi, 24, and Samson Ogoshi, 21, to 17 years and six months in prison.
They were sentenced for their involvement in a sextortion scheme that tragically led to the suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay.
They sent DeMay a friend request on Instagram, pretended to be a girl his age, and flirted with him.
The brothers lured DeMay into sending them explicit images by pretending to be a girl his age and threatened to send his pictures to his friends if he did not send him money.
DeMay sent as much money as he could and pleaded with the scammers, threatening to kill himself if they spread the images.
“Good… Do that fast, or I’ll make you do it,” the brothers replied.
However, DeMay took his own life less than six hours after their initial conversation on March 25, 2022.
This case marks the first successful prosecution of Nigerians for sextortion in the U.S., highlighting a growing trend of such crimes linked to Nigeria.
The brothers were extradited to the US in August last year to face prosecution over numerous cases of sexual extortion of young men and teenage boys on social media linked to them.
They pleaded guilty in April to conspiring to exploit teenage boys in Michigan and across the US sexually.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to establishing a comprehensive cybercrime legal framework.
The government stated this during a Parliamentary Stakeholders Retreat on the Cybercrime Legal Framework in Nigeria organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Council of Europe and the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project (Nigeria ID4D), at Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event highlighted the significant impact of cybercrime on the global economy with estimated yearly losses of over $1 trillion as well as in Nigeria’s economy with estimated losses of $250 billion yearly.
The Solicitor-General of the Federation/Permanent Secretary (PS), Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, emphasised the need for technology-neutral, forward-looking legal frameworks that facilitate international cooperation.
She said Nigeria’s accession to the Budapest convention in July 2022 was a significant show of commitment to strengthening the national legal framework to combat cybercrime effectively. In furtherance of this commitment, the Federal Ministry of Justice initiated a comprehensive review of the Cybercrimes and legal framework in May, last year.
Over 120 tech enthusiasts have been enrolled in a free 4-week Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) programme organised by tech enthusiast, Olumayowa Akinkuehinmi.
This initiative aims to remove financial barriers to high-quality tech training, empowering individuals to advance their careers and fostering the growth of skilled professionals in the rapidly evolving fields of networking and cybersecurity.
The virtual session launched on Sunday, saw a massive turnout of Nigerian youths eager to learn and combat cybercrimes and related vices both in Nigeria and globally.
Olumayowa, one of the guest speakers at the recently concluded 2024 Africa CyberFest Conference in Lagos, discussed Nigeria’s representation on the global stage and the impact of cybercrime on the country’s image.
He said: “At Africa CyberFest, my session highlighted the dynamic representation of The African youth on the global stage. Besides Nigeria, I have had the privilege of visiting several West African countries. In each new place, I make it a point to engage with local communities, particularly fresh graduates. These interactions often lead to enriching conversations where I explore their perspectives and aspirations.
“A recurring theme in these discussions is the significant challenges they face, primarily due to a lack of support and resources. This realisation has driven me to prioritise mentoring and supporting emerging talents who have limited access to essential training and opportunities. By providing the necessary resources and guidance, I aim to help them enhance their skills and become better versions of themselves. This commitment not only fosters individual growth but also contributes to the broader development of our tech communities across the region. I started a Tech community in Cameroon called ‘CyberCombi’ and it’s focused on learning CyberSecurity. Most community members are University students and Fresh graduates and the idea is to give them access to mentors and learning while getting them job-ready. There are plans also to plant more communities across Africa.”
However, Olumayowa believes that merely identifying the problem is not enough to solve it.
He emphasises the need for drastic measures to tackle cybercrime issues in Nigeria.
This conviction led him to take the initiative to educate Nigerians, raise awareness, and foster a cyber-secure environment through his free certified programmes.
“As a dedicated Nigerian tech enthusiast, I believe addressing the cybercrime problem in Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach, including education and skill development. My journey began last year with initiatives to support individuals eager to learn new skills, particularly in the tech space.
“The first major effort was a CCNA Gold Bootcamp, which I co-sponsored with my friend Chukwudi Theodore. We funded over 60 participants, each costing around $100, and were fortunate to receive additional support. Building on this success, we initiated a free DevOps Bootcamp, which attracted over 300 interested individuals. Although only a fraction continued the program, it highlighted the demand for such training.
To further support self-paced learning, we distribute free Udemy vouchers from time to time. My commitment to Tech education led me to become an instructor with Cisco Networking Academy, where I could provide even more structured support. I also launched a free Linux learning campaign courtesy of Cisco Network Academy and NDG, which has seen about 9 batches this year alone, with each batch receiving applications from 700 to 900 individuals. Approximately 8,000 applicants have engaged with the Linux program so far, with varying degrees of completion.
Following my participation in Africa Cyberfest, I recognized a strong desire for learning and took additional steps to support cybersecurity education. Partnering with two instructors, we started offering free cybersecurity classes. A registration link posted on my Twitter timeline garnered over 700 applicants within an hour, and these classes have since commenced.
Furthermore, Chukwudi Theodore and I launched a “CCNA in 4 Weeks” campaign, which saw 120 applicants sign up within just three minutes.
These initiatives, including the cyber security and CCNA classes, have seen enthusiastic participation from people across the globe, spanning multiple time zones. The primary goal of these free classes is to equip participants with the skills they need to be job-ready and to foster a community of knowledgeable and responsible tech professionals who can contribute positively to the fight against cybercrime.
Through these efforts, I aim to create a robust support system for aspiring tech professionals, providing them with the necessary training and resources to excel and make meaningful contributions to the tech industry and the broader fight against cybercrime in Nigeria.”
Olumayowa urged youths to engage in skill acquisition, and quality learning and desist from cybercrime because the consequences are greater than the pleasure therein.
“My advice to young boys and girls contemplating cybercrime as a path to wealth is simple: learn a skill today. Crime, in any form, does not pay and carries severe consequences. Despite efforts to remain anonymous, there will always be a digital footprint that can lead to legal repercussions and damage your future.
Instead, you’ll need to invest your time in acquiring a valuable skill. Dedicating six months to learning something new can yield significant, legitimate rewards. This doesn’t have to be limited to tech—there are countless skills out there that can provide a fulfilling and prosperous career.
Every get-rich-quick scheme comes with long-term negative consequences. By focusing on skill development and hard work, you can achieve sustainable success and contribute positively to society. Embrace the opportunity to build a solid foundation for your future through honest and diligent efforts.”
In his closing remarks, he urged the Nigerian government to create a quality atmosphere for skill acquisition, and financial Support in terms of loans, grants, and other incentives, because research has shown that idleness and unemployment increase the rate of crime in any state or country.
“To effectively curb cybercrime, the government should implement a multifaceted approach focusing on skill acquisition and economic opportunities like Springing up Skill Acquisition Centres and Technical Schools and by doing this, the government should invest in reviving and expanding skill acquisition centres and technical schools across the country. These institutions should offer a wide range of programs that equip individuals with practical, marketable skills.
“Also, the government can encourage Skill Development with Financial Support by providing individuals with access to start-up loans to support their entrepreneurial endeavours. A dedicated government sector should manage these funds, ensuring they are disbursed and utilized properly for their intended purposes. This oversight will help maintain accountability and effectiveness.
“There also needs to be a need to promote Internships and Knowledge Transfer where individuals who acquire new skills and start businesses are encouraged to offer internship opportunities. This hands-on experience will allow others to learn on the job, facilitating the distribution of knowledge and skills. As these interns gain proficiency, they too should have access to government funding, continuing the cycle of skill development and business creation.
“Giving Tax Incentives for New Businesses by offering tax holidays to new businesses for a specified number of years. This incentive will make entrepreneurship more attractive and help fledgling businesses stabilize and grow.
“Embedding Skill Development into Education by mandating schools incorporate extracurricular activities focused on skill development. Engaging students in practical learning will keep their minds occupied and provide a sense of direction, even before they graduate”, he said.
Olumayowa Akinkuehinmi is a passionate technology enthusiast. Began his career in the field of network engineering, where he gained extensive experience in managing and optimizing network systems. Over time, my interests and Enthusiasm have evolved, and I am now deeply focused on Cloud Computing and DevOps.
He has learnt to explore innovative solutions and drive efficiency in IT operations. Beyond my professional endeavours, he is dedicated to supporting and contributing to various tech communities, where he shares his knowledge and fosters growth among peers and aspiring technologists.
In a bid to tackle cybercrime in Africa and the world at large, tech enthusiasts gathered in Lagos for a 2-day conference called CyberFest to discuss issues across Cybercrime and how Cybersecurity can help effect change.
The conference which was held at The Zone Conference Center, Gbagada, Lagos State, on Friday 17th, and Saturday 18th May 2024, tagged “Youth-Focused Approach To Tackling Cybercrime” saw a massive turnout of Nigerian youths who came to learn and discover ideas on how to curb the menace of Cybercrime in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.
The keynote speaker of the event, the Head of the Cybercrime unit in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Jamila Akaaga Ade, spoke extensively on the effects of Cybercrime in today’s world and how bad parenting seems to be one of the root causes of rising cybercrime in the country, saying that parents are in the right place to shape their children’s future.
“Intentional parenting is key, the family is the foundation of society, and even God recognizes the family as a very important unit. Two individuals come together, become spouses, and give birth to children and that becomes a family.
“The family then makes up a community, a community springs up and becomes a society, and we go to state, country and nations. But we have to go down to the individual, how that person was parented, how that person was nurtured. The role of the family is very key, we need to go back to those values and morals that have been degraded, and we need to revive them.”
She also spoke on the giant strides the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMoJ) has taken over the years in combating cybercrime and also change the mindset of the younger generation to think positively towards the use of Cyberspace.
“The Federal Ministry of Justice is mandated to strengthen and enhance the legal framework on Cybercrime and Cybersecurity in Nigeria to such that the much-needed alignment with regional and international standards is achieved, international cooperation is maintained, and that cybercrime and cybersecurity matters are effectively prosecuted. And of course, for the Law Enforcement Agencies, they operate within their enabling laws.”
Speaking on youths and keeping them from becoming victims or perpetrators of cybercrime, Jamila said the FMoJ is working assiduously to ensure that Cybercrime is being tackled from the roots by awareness creation.
“There’s one initiative which we started because preventive measures are key when it comes to issues of crime, such as cybercrime. Last year the Federal Ministry of Justice held the First Cybercrime Awareness in collaboration with the United States Embassy, Cybersecurity Education Initiative (CYSED), and other partners to inform Nigerians (particularly high schoolers) on the provisions of the Cybercrime Act, those conducts that are criminalized.
“Sometimes some people commit offences without even knowing that what they are doing is actually criminalized. So, it was basically to create awareness on those criminalized conducts under the Cybercrime Act.”
On collaborating with international bodies to tackle cybercrime, Tim Galvin, who is the Africa Cyber Programme Manager said the international security agencies like the FBI, Interpol, and others are in partnership with Nigerian security agencies to tackle cybercrime.
“Cybercrime is an international crime, which needs an international response, in Africa, we know at least 10% of GDP is lost through cybercrime, and across the world we have several countries which have various cyber immaturities. Africa is digitizing at a very rapid rate, but its ability to tackle cybercrime is not keeping pace with that rapid digitization. In the UK, we have our National Cyber Strategy, and under which strengthen Cybersecurity and resilience in Africa, funded through a UK integrated Security Fund. We deliver cyber capacity building PanAfrica but predominantly in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana”.
Cybercrime has indeed affected the representation of Nigeria around the globe as many citizens face discrimination as a result of the high rate of cybercrime perpetrated by Nigerians. Patrick Essien and Olumayowa Akinkuehinmi shared similar ideas on these stereotypes.
Olumayowa said: “Like I say all the time, Nigeria has bad PR, when you mention Nigeria, they are thinking about cybercrime, drugs, and the likes, but when we talk about cybercrime, I will tell you Nigeria is not even in the top rank at all. When we talk about cybercrime it’s not just about internet fraud, we talk about top-rank ransomware, sextortion, and so many other types, but due to how Nigeria is being portrayed, it’s actually giving a red flag on the green passport, I shared my story on how I was delayed in a particular country and they took everything from me just to search and I had to walk in the airport barefoot. These are some of the things we go through but we won’t stop. I believe in Nigeria, and I believe the green passport will be stronger soon.”
In the same breath, Patrick Essien urged Nigerians in top tiers to portray themselves aright, build trust, and change the narrative of the country in their own little way.
Co-founder and Executive Director of CYSED, who is the organizers of Africa CyberFest, Moses Joshua, shared his deep appreciation to the youth who showed up in their numbers at the event to make it a memorable one. He also called on the Nigerian government to support initiatives like this to strengthen the fight against cybercrime.
“We need to empower young persons, there needs to be a collaborative effort in changing the narrative of the African youth. Just like I said in my remarks, we have a lot of young people in Africa, and if we can use these numbers well, Africa will not just be on the global map of excellence, it will be great for the next generation. So, the government needs to create a better platform to help youth to be able to explore their excellence, Nigerian youth are talented, and if given the opportunity, I believe it will add to our economic growth”.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 15, said that it was not against the implementation of three Cybercrime Acts passed by the National Assembly, but seeming distortion as contained in the circular issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the implementation.
The House said the Cybercrime Act as passed by the National Assembly places the burden of paying the cybercrime levy on five companies operating in, and benefiting from cyberspace and, not the Nigerian people.
The House asked the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Office of National Security Adviser to cause further enlightenment on the Cyber Crimes Act and implementation of the 0.5% (0.005) levy.
This followed a motion of urgent public importance by the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda who expressed concern about the narrative in the public space that the House was against the implementation of the law it passed.
He said: “On 9th May 2024, the House considered a joint motion on the implementation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2015 as amended in 2024 and resolved to direct the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withdraw the ambiguous circular of 6th May 2024 and in its place issue an unambiguous and unequivocal circular in line with the letters and spirit of the law and directed the House Committees on Banking Regulations and Ancillary Institutions to guide the CBN properly.
“The media space was awash with the wrong impression that the House of Representatives was against a Law passed by her, which impression painted the House in bad light.
“The world is a global village and with the internet-of-things, crime is moving from meat space (real or physical world) to cyberspace without the physical limitations of boundaries.
“Cybercrime is more devastating and can cripple a nation easier than the conventional crime in the physical space with a humongous cost expanded on security and the very likely limitations of funding cyberspace security by the government.
“Some establishments carry out their businesses within the cyberspace and make profits therefrom.
“The Cybercrimes Act imposes a levy of 0.05% (0.005) on some establishments enumerated in the second schedule to the Act that occupy the cyberspace; do business there in and make profit therefrom.
“The letter and spirit of the law as crafted by the Parliament are not only commendable but in tune with contemporary trends and supportive of the global fight against cybercrime.
“The levy does not apply to ordinary Nigerians but only to the establishments listed in the second schedule to the Act, including GSM Service providers and all telecommunication companies; Internet Service Providers; Banks and other Financial Institutions; Insurance Companies; and Nigerian Stock Exchange”.
