NPF to Intensify Cybercrime Crackdown with Collaboration With International Agencies

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), on Monday said they will continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and embassies to track and prosecute cybercriminals, combat cybercrime and other forms of transnational criminal activity and ensure perpetrators are held accountable under Nigerian law.

The Police also described as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to the office of the Inspector General of Police by affected Commands, following a recent 34-page report released by Amnesty International, which alleged police culpability in the deaths and arrests of protesters, and the use of excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.

Stressing the police did not fire live ammunition on EndBadGovernance protesters despite reasonable provocation, the force said that police personnel deployed to provide security for the protesters acted professionally and in line with established rules of engagement.

This was as the Department of the State Service (DSS), also challenged a popular civil society organisations – the Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP), to implement what it preaches to the society. DSS aggrieved staff who are pressing legal charges against SERAP, used an adage that “it is easier to criticise than doing the right thing,” to chastise the CSO.

Giving update on the case involving 113 foreigners being prosecuted on cybercrime and immigration offences, as well as discrediting Amnesty International report on EndBadGovernance Protesters, the spokesperson of the Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while addressing a press conference in Abuja expressed optimism that the trial court will do justice to the case.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had on Friday granted bail to the 109 foreign nationals detained on allegations of their alleged involvement in high level cybercrime and hacking activities said to be threatening the nation’s security.

Justice Ekerete Akpan, while delivering a ruling in the bail application moved by the defence counsel, James Onoja, SAN, which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel A. A Egwu, ordered the defendants to present five sureties.

Adejobi said that the arraignment of these suspects followed extensive investigations that have uncovered the alleged involvement of these individuals in criminal activities spanning both cybercrime, immigration offences and human trafficking networks.

Responding to a question on the bail granted to the alleged foreign cyber criminals, the police image maker said that it is at the discretion of the court to grant bail.

The offences he said are bailable and they have been granted bail, stating, “it is not within our powers to query why the court granted them bail”.

He further said that granting bail to the suspected foreign cyber felons was not the end of the case.

According to him, “The prosecution is still ongoing and the centre is still working hard to carry out forensic analysis on some of the exhibits recovered.

“With what we have I am sure, and I am convinced. We have credible evidence to help perfect the prosecution before the court. The court will definitely be on same page with us so that it can serve as a deterrent to others who could harbour such criminal tendencies against the Nigerian State in the future”.

Reaffirming the commitment of the force to leverage emerging technological advancement to protect citizens of Nigeria both physically and in the digital space, Adejobi said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun reiterated that the force is dedicated and well equipped to combat cases of cybercrime in the country.

Debunking Amnesty International’s report on EndBadGovernance protesters, Adejobi stated that the police did not fire live ammunition nor cause the death of any protester.

He recalled that arrests made during the protests targeted individuals engaging in criminal acts such as treason, vandalism, robbery, arson, and looting.

“These arrests were conducted lawfully, and those detained were treated within the ambit of the law,” he said.

He averred that the force recorded several unpalatable incidents during the protests, which were accurately documented and publicly shared, recalling that “in Borno State, four individuals tragically lost their lives, and 34 others sustained severe injuries following an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP operatives who infiltrated the protest and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

However, the IG in response to Amnesty International’s allegations, directed a comprehensive investigation into the claims.

“Commissioners of Police in the affected states have been mandated to submit further detailed reports on the incidents within one week. This directive aims to identify any deviation from the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and rules of engagement, irrespective of the security agencies involved,” Adejobi said.

Also, the Department of the State Service (DSS), said SERAP is uncomfortable complying with the rule of substantial justice, which it has been calling others to abide by.

“Instead, it has now resorted to technicalities. At the resumed hearing of the case instituted against it by DSS aggrieved staff, SERAP denied being SERAP.

“Meanwhile, in the offensive posts SERAP put out, which injured the reputation of the complainants, it said ‘DSS Raids SERAP Office’ and ‘DSS invades SERAP Office’ but now it is insisting that it must be referred to as ‘Registered Incorporated Trustees of SERAP’ denying its own name which it uses. Basically, it is assessed that it is doing so to evade justice”.

Linus Aleke

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