Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has called for proactive, intelligence-led policing and stronger collaboration among security agencies, financial institutions and technology companies to combat emerging cyber threats and protect Nigeria’s cyberspace.
Disu also urged Nigerians to adopt safer online practices, including protecting passwords and verification codes, enabling multi-factor authentication and verifying financial instructions before acting on them.
The IGP made the call at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign Week, organised by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja on October 15, 2026, with the theme, *“Towards a Resilient Cyberspace: Think Before You Click.”*
According to a press release issued on Monday by DSP Unwana Imah, Police Public Relations Liaison Officer of the NPF-NCCC, the campaign focused on raising public awareness about emerging cyber threats and promoting responsible digital behaviour.
Disu stressed the need for individuals and organisations to strengthen their cybersecurity practices, while urging financial institutions, technology companies and telecommunications operators to improve internal controls against insider threats and unauthorised access.
In his welcome address, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Director of the NPF-NCCC, AIG Akaninyene Ezima, highlighted how cybercriminals exploit human vulnerabilities and emerging technologies to perpetrate fraud through deepfakes, impersonation and automated scams.
Ezima advocated responsible technology use, encouraged young Nigerians to explore legitimate digital opportunities and urged victims of cybercrime to report incidents promptly to the appropriate authorities.
The opening day of the campaign featured a cybersecurity awareness lecture, seminar and panel discussion, alongside sensitisation lectures designed to educate students on online safety and responsible digital conduct.
The activities culminated on October 17 with an awareness walkathon aimed at deepening public understanding of cyber threats and the importance of collective action in preventing online crime.
Speaking through his representative, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Logistics and Supply, DIG Kenneth Onwemelie, Disu reiterated the importance of sustained public education in preventing cybercrime and strengthening digital security.
He warned Nigerians against WhatsApp account takeover scams, fraudulent investment schemes, romance scams and online blackmail, urging members of the public to protect their digital identities and verify information before sharing it.
The police chief emphasised that preventing cybercrime requires vigilance from individuals and stronger institutional cooperation to identify emerging threats, improve investigations and protect citizens from digital exploitation.
The Nigeria Police Force, through the NPF-NCCC, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cybercrime investigations, enhancing digital forensic capabilities, building strategic partnerships and expanding public awareness initiatives to create a safer cyberspace.
The Force stressed that cybersecurity remains a shared responsibility, requiring the cooperation of government institutions, the private sector and members of the public.
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