ABUJA – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has joined forces with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme to tackle the growing threat of cybercrime in Nigeria. This partnership was formalized at the National Cybercrime Prevention Summit held in Abuja, where stakeholders gathered to address the menace that’s projected to cost the world $10.5 trillion by 2025.
Stakeholders launched a 24/7 Rapid Response Desk to promptly address cybercrime cases, demonstrating their commitment to combating this threat.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu emphasized that cybercrime is not just a crime against individuals or businesses, but an assault on the integrity of the people, economic stability, and the future of the youth.
She stressed the need for a multifaceted approach to combat cybercrime, involving various stakeholders, including parents, law enforcement, educational institutions, the private sector, religious leaders, traditional rulers, business leaders, communities, and civil societies.
Mrs Tinubu also highlighted the importance of exploring sustainable alternatives to redirect youths toward productive endeavors.
She noted that thousands have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted, yet there is no indication that the number involved is decreasing, with young people accounting for more than 60% of the population.
The First Lady said, “Cybercrime is not just a crime against individuals or businesses; it is an assault on the collective integrity of the people, economic stability, and the future of the youth.
“The digital age, while offering unprecedented opportunities, has also exposed us to new vulnerabilities. It is, therefore, crucial that we address this challenge head-on and explore not only the harmful consequences of cybercrime but also the sustainable alternatives that can redirect our youth towards productive endeavors.”
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EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede noted that cybercrimes distort family values, corrupt youths, and undermine national development. He emphasized the need for collective action, citing alarming statistics: 2,328 cybercrime cases occur daily.
He said, “The menace of cybercrimes, like most economic and financial crimes, is a burning challenge that cannot be denied, ignored, or wished away. This time around, we are not only interrogating the problem, we are aggregating workable solutions to it. The enormity of challenges posed to us as individuals and as a nation by cybercrimes is grievous. As individuals, youths’ involvement in these crimes is distorting and corrupting acceptable family values.
“We cannot continue to sit idly and watch the integrity of our institutions compromised and our youths degenerate into uselessness. The future of our nation cannot and must not be allowed to hang in the balance. We must take collective action against cybercrimes. Talking about alternatives to cybercrimes, there are ample skills that can be optimized for national development.”
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, commended the EFCC’s efforts to dissuade youths from crime.
Similarly, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal pledged support for the Commission, stressing accountability and transparency.
Lawal said, “Why would I be scared of the EFCC? We are here to serve, and this is the way forward. People should be accountable; people should be transparent. That is the way, that is leadership. My presence here is to support the Commission, especially in times like this when Nigeria is facing challenges related to cybercrime. This is a valuable opportunity, and I believe this is the way forward so that we can redeem Nigeria’s image in the comity of nations.”
RoLAC Programme Head Danladi Plang urged a rethink of traditional approaches to fighting crime, focusing on redirecting youths’ energies towards productive endeavors.
He explained, “Nigeria has a very youthful population that is versatile in the use of technology. This skill has been used negatively in various forms, including digital financial crime. This has not only given the country a bad name internationally but also poses a significant threat to the country’s financial system and increases crimes against individuals, including child pornography.
“While we acknowledge the efforts made by the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies in fighting cybercrime, perhaps we need to rethink our traditional approach of arrest, trial, conviction, and imprisonment. By focusing on other ways of channeling the energies of youth and their skills in technology, the country could strengthen its cybercrime prevention and response mechanisms and, at the same time, create more legitimate opportunities for young people.”
The summit emphasized the need for alternative opportunities to cybercrime, showcasing legitimate wealth creation avenues in industries like tech, finance, and law enforcement.