By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Police Force has launched a nationwide online awareness campaign aimed at combating cybercrime and promoting responsible digital behaviour among Nigerians.
The campaign, themed “Real Odogwu no dey hide face,” was unveiled by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) as part of a month-long initiative focused on online safety and cyber-hygiene across the country.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the initiative was designed to educate Nigerians about the growing threats of cybercrime and encourage citizens to adopt proactive measures to protect their digital identities.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Abuja, the Director of the NPF-NCCC, Ifeanyi Uche Henry, said the campaign was introduced in response to the increasing sophistication and borderless nature of cyber threats confronting individuals and organisations.
He explained that the programme seeks to sensitise the public to common cybercrimes such as identity theft, romance scams, business email compromise (BEC), sextortion and phishing attacks, which have increasingly targeted unsuspecting Nigerians.
According to him, many cyberattacks succeed largely due to limited public awareness and poor digital safety practices.
“Cybercrime continues to evolve, and the threats are becoming more complex and borderless. This campaign is therefore designed to empower Nigerians with the knowledge required to protect themselves online,” he said.
The Director also issued a warning to individuals involved in cybercriminal activities to desist, noting that the centre’s Cyberhawk teams are deploying advanced digital tracking tools to detect, investigate and prosecute offenders in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, commended the support of the UK National Crime Agency and the City of London Police, stressing that international collaboration remains vital in tackling cybercrime and securing digital spaces.
The police chief noted that the partnership demonstrates the importance of global cooperation in addressing cyber threats that often transcend national borders.
The Nigeria Police Force also urged members of the public to remain cyber-aware and adopt responsible online practices, including safeguarding financial information such as ATM PINs, one-time passwords (OTPs) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, avoiding suspicious links or urgent messages, and protecting sensitive personal or corporate information through secure communication channels.
The campaign forms part of broader efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to enhance digital security awareness and strengthen the country’s resilience against cybercrime.
