The Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Akaninyene Ezima, has urged Nigerians to make cybersecurity a daily habit, warning that a single careless click could expose individuals to fraud, identity theft and other digital threats.
Ezima gave the advice during the 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign organised by the NPF-NCCC in Abuja, with the theme, “Towards a Resilient Cyberspace: Think Before You Click.”
“Our theme is timely and important because, in today’s interconnected world, a single click could either protect us or expose us to cybercrime,” he said.
He explained that Nigeria’s growing digital transformation had created opportunities in commerce, education, governance and innovation, while also providing cybercriminals with new ways to exploit public trust, human emotions and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
According to him, cybersecurity should not be regarded as the exclusive responsibility of technical experts and law enforcement agencies but as a shared duty requiring awareness, vigilance and collective action.
“The challenge is not simply to respond to cybercrimes after they occur, but to build a society that is better informed, better prepared and more resilient against digital threats,” Ezima said.
He stated that the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was strengthening its capacity to prevent, detect, investigate and disrupt cybercrime through improved technical capabilities, professional training, intelligence sharing and collaboration with local and international partners.
The AIG described the NPF-NCCC as a specialised platform for coordinating responses to cyber-enabled offences and enhancing public confidence in Nigeria’s digital environment.
He added that the Force was pursuing a more preventive and intelligence-driven approach to cybercrime, using digital tools, data analytics and modern investigative techniques to identify threats early and protect citizens from harm.
On the growing use of artificial intelligence, Ezima said AI-enabled tools could assist investigators in analysing digital evidence, identifying suspicious patterns, detecting fraud trends and improving intelligence assessment.
However, he warned that the technology must be used in accordance with the law, with appropriate human oversight, transparency, data protection and respect for fundamental human rights.
“Artificial intelligence must support professional police judgment, not replace it,” he stated.
He also cautioned that cybercriminals were exploiting AI to create deepfakes, synthetic identities, automated scams and convincing impersonation schemes to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
Ezima urged Nigerians to verify suspicious messages, avoid clicking on unfamiliar links, protect their passwords, personal identification numbers and one-time passwords, and activate multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
“I therefore urge every Nigerian to make the simple but powerful principle of ‘Think Before You Click’ a daily habit,” he said.
The NPF-NCCC director also called on financial institutions, telecommunications companies, technology firms and cybersecurity professionals to strengthen collaboration, share intelligence promptly and improve incident reporting.
He encouraged victims of cybercrime to report incidents to the appropriate law enforcement authorities without delay, noting that prompt reporting could help preserve digital evidence, support investigations and prevent further victimisation.
Expressing concern over sextortion, Ezima said online exploitation could have devastating consequences for victims and, in some cases, had been linked to suicide.
“There should be no shame in reporting fraud or online exploitation. Early reporting might help preserve digital evidence, support investigations and prevent further victimisation,” he said.
He further warned that spreading unverified messages, images and sensational claims could damage reputations, deepen social divisions and, in certain circumstances, threaten public safety.
On the legal consequences of online misconduct, Ezima drew attention to Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024, which addresses specified forms of cyberstalking involving offensive or false messages transmitted through computer systems or networks.
He warned that offences under the relevant provisions could attract fines, imprisonment or other penalties as prescribed by law.
The police chief also appealed to young Nigerians to resist the temptation of quick money and criminal recruitment, urging them to channel their digital skills into cybersecurity, ethical technology, entrepreneurship and innovation.
“To our teeming youths, you are not merely users of digital technology; you are its creators, innovators and future custodians. Do not allow the promise of quick money, online pressure or criminal recruitment to compromise your future,” he said.
Ezima expressed appreciation to IGP Disu for supporting the Centre, particularly through the renewal of operational licences and tools, as well as facilitating partnerships with development partners.
He expressed hope that the campaign would translate into safer online practices, stronger institutional preparedness and greater public confidence in the fight against cybercrime.
He urged Nigerians to embrace the campaign’s message: “Think Before You Click. Verify Before You Share. Report Before Others Become Victims.”
