The Nigeria Police Force has launched a nationwide digital awareness campaign aimed at combating cybercrime and promoting safer online practices among Nigerians.
The initiative, driven by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), is a month-long public enlightenment programme on online safety and cyber hygiene designed to educate citizens on the increasing threats in the digital space.
Flagging off the campaign in Abuja, the Director of the Centre, Ifeanyi Uche Henry, said the programme, tagged “Real Odogwu No Dey Hide Face,” was introduced in response to the rising cases of cyber-related crimes affecting Nigerians.
Henry noted that cyber threats continue to evolve rapidly and often operate across borders, warning that many cyber attacks succeed largely because of low public awareness.
According to him, common cybercrimes targeting Nigerians include identity theft, romance scams, business email compromise, sextortion and phishing.
He stressed the need for citizens to adopt responsible online behaviour and remain vigilant in protecting their digital identities.
The director also warned individuals involved in cybercrime to desist, stating that the Centre’s Cyberhawk teams are deploying advanced digital tracking tools to identify and prosecute offenders.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, commended the support of the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom and the City of London Police, noting that international collaboration remains crucial in tackling cybercrime and securing digital spaces.
The police also urged Nigerians to remain cyber-aware by protecting their devices and personal information, safeguarding financial details such as ATM PINs, OTPs and BVNs, using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, avoiding suspicious links, and sharing sensitive information only through secure channels.
