Cybercrime, A Threat To National Security — IGP Egbetokun

The inspector-general of police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has said that 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”.

The IGP, who was represented by the deputy inspector-general of police in charge of Finance and Administration, DIG Bala Ciroma, said cybercrime is not a mere technical issue but a matter of national security that requires immediate attention.

IGP Egbetokun further noted that cybercriminals were becoming more sophisticated and employing advanced techniques to invade detection and target vulnerability in emerging technologies.

He said: “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 highlights 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.”

Also speaking, 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 an era dominated by digital economy and technology.

He said that the crime fighting world over has 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.

He also said the Nigerian Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF NCCC) 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.