The Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) has successfully uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated syndicate operating in a cybercrime recruitment and mentoring hub in Abuja.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement, Wednesday, described the closure as a significant stride against cybercrime and cyber-related offences by the police cybercrime centre.
Adejobi said investigation and operation was initiated in response to series of intelligence reports that indicated a deep involvement of the syndicate in various cybercrimes.
The statement listed unlawful activities of the training centre to include Business Email Compromise, Romance Scams, and High Yield Investment Program Fraud.
“Upon receiving the intelligence, a team of Cybercrime Forensic Experts and Investigators were detailed on the case, painstaking effort expended in clinically investigating the case which led to the arrest of six (6) suspects at their hideout in the Dantata estate area of the FCT and the recovery of several digital gadgets and effects used in perpetrating their criminal enterprise on the 13th of September, 2023,” Adejobi said.
He further disclosed the suspects as 27-year-old Bernard Joseph, Emmanuel Joseph, 22; Obasi Ikechukwu, 19; Anijiofor Tobechuckwu, 26; Andrew Moses and Israel Ezekiel who are both 19 years old.
The statement noted that the suspects summarily confessed to their various degrees of involvement in cybercrime including identity theft, hacking and trading of hacked Facebook accounts, romance scam, computer related forgery, and other computer related fraud.
The police spokesman said the offences are punishable under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.
“It is pertinent to state that the investigation is ongoing and efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of this criminal network are underway.
“Meanwhile, the arrested suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement stated.
The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, while reiterating the commitment of the Force to combatting crime at all fronts irrespective of its dynamics, has directed the NPF-NCCC Director, Uche Ifeanyi Henry, to take no break in ensuring the safety of individuals and enterprises online.
He also urged parents, wards, thought leaders including and social and religious institutions to outrightly condemn this menace and partner with the police in ensuring a safer digital space for all.
In addition, the police urged landlords and landladies, facility owners, to expose such cybercrime recruitment centre and mentoring hubs noticed in their areas or houses.
“We need to break the conspiracy of silence and expose the evil doers in our society.
“We want to reassure the public that we will continually work with partners, stakeholders, and other relevant security agencies to decimate activities of cyber criminals and other criminals across the country.
“The Nigeria Police Force therefore counts on your support and unwavering commitment in tackling crimes and criminality in the country,” the police boss said.
Police then enjoined the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online activities through its dedicated e-reporting portal at www.incb.npf.gov.ng, and via email at policecyberunit@pf.cybersecurity.gov.ng.
