Cybercrime: Police recover N8bn, prosecute over 751 suspects
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force said its National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) successfully recovered N8,821,001,881.80, 115,237.91 USDT, and $84,000 as part of its bid to tackle every form of crime in all spheres in 2024.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi who revealed this in a statement on Tuesday said the money have been returned to the owners.
According to him, the Police recorded an outstanding achievement for the year 2024 in retrospect, particularly in the area of combatting cybercrime.
“These significant amounts have been restituted to the victims of cybercrime, reaffirming the commitment of the Force to protecting citizens and ensuring justice for those affected by fraudulent activities.
Similarly, in the past year, the Cybercrime Unit has actively engaged in strategic operations, resulting in the arrests and prosecutions of over 751 individuals involved in cybercrime.
“The unit has successfully recovered a total of 685 devices that were used in these nefarious activities, which include 467 mobile phones, 137 laptops and computers, 46 routers, 4 servers, 1 drone, and 4 Starlink devices.
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“Additionally, the operations led to the confiscation of 16 houses, 39 plots of land, 14 land documents, and 26 vehicles, further dismantling the infrastructure supporting cybercriminal activities, Adejobi listed as the other achievements of the unit during the period.
According to him, in recognition of its outstanding performance and dedication, the NPF-NCCC was awarded the title of the Best Cybercrime Unit in Africa for 2024 by the INTERPOL Cybercrime Directorate based in Singapore, securing the top position among 54 participating African countries.
“These achievements reflects the dedication of the Nigeria Police Force to fighting cybercrime and enhancing the safety of citizens in the digital space@
Meanwhile, Adejobi said in furtherance to efforts towrads keeping the cyberspace safe, operatives of the NPF-NCCC have apprehended four suspects identified as Douglass Victor ‘m’, Egbo Efe Martins ‘m’, Lucky Adesunloye ‘m’, and Ndifreke Joseph Moody ‘m’, for various cyber-related offences.
He did not enumerate on the offenses committed by the four suspects in the statement.
“The Nigeria Police remains committed towards combating cyber threats, staying steps ahead of cybercriminals, thereby enhancing the nation’s overall cybersecurity framework and protecting the welfare of its citizens in the digital era.
“Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and exercise caution when sharing sensitive data or interacting with unfamiliar online entities, cultivating a culture of cyber awareness and promoting responsible online behavior are essential components in fortifying the defenses against cyber threats.”
