The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the expansion of the National Cybercrime Centre’s operations to include existing Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) annex offices in Lagos, Kaduna, Gombe, and Enugu states.
Previously, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) National Cybercrime Centre, responsible for combating cybercrimes in the country, was solely based in Abuja. This often necessitated that individuals accused of violating the Cybercrimes Act be taken to the capital for questioning.
In a statement released on Monday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, highlighted that the expansion aims to enhance the professional coordination and monitoring of cybercrime investigations reported to the police.
“Following the recent upsurge in the creation and circulation of misinformative and dis-informative materials and other cyber-related crimes, capable of causing a breakdown of law and order and attempting to discredit the country, using the various social media platforms, it has become expedient to take proactive and strategic steps to nip this trend in the bud in order to prevent damage to the peaceful coexistence of well-meaning citizens and residents of our great country,” the statement read.
The directive, issued by IGP Egbetokun, specifies that the centre’s activities will now extend to the FCID annex offices, facilitating the efficient handling of matters related to the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024.
However, some analysts have criticized the police, alleging that the Cybercrimes Act has been used to clamp down on journalists and activists.
