The Nigeria Police Force has launched a nationwide online awareness campaign aimed at combating cybercrime and promoting responsible digital behaviour among Nigerians.
The initiative, driven by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), is a month-long programme focused on improving online safety and cyber-hygiene across the country.
The campaign, tagged “Real Odogwu No Dey Hide Face,” was officially flagged off in Abuja by the Director of the NPF-NCCC, Ifeanyi Uche Henry, who warned that cyber threats are increasingly becoming sophisticated and borderless.
Henry explained that the campaign was introduced in response to the rising cases of cyber offences such as identity theft, romance scams, business email compromise (BEC), sextortion and phishing targeting Nigerians.
According to him, many cyber attacks succeeded because of poor awareness and weak online security habits among internet users.
He therefore urged citizens to adopt responsible online practices to safeguard their digital identities and financial information.
The cybercrime chief also issued a warning to individuals involved in internet fraud and other cyber-related crimes, stating that the centre’s Cyberhawk teams are deploying advanced digital tracking systems to identify and prosecute offenders in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, commended the support of international partners including the UK National Crime Agency and the City of London Police in strengthening efforts to tackle cybercrime.
He noted that the collaboration underscores the importance of global partnerships in securing digital spaces and combating transnational cyber threats.
The police also advised Nigerians to remain cyber-aware by verifying online information, protecting their devices and digital identities, and safeguarding financial details such as ATM PINs, OTPs and BVNs.
Other recommended safety measures include adopting strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, avoiding suspicious links or messages designed to create urgency, and using secure communication channels when sharing sensitive personal or corporate information.
The campaign is expected to run for one month, with a focus on educating the public and reducing the growing impact of cybercrime in Nigeria.
