THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a cybercrime rapid response centre.
According to media reports, the anti-corruption Agency announced the launch of the centre in Abuja during a Cybercrime Summit organised by the EFCC. The move is a multi-agency response to cybercrime threats and incidents in Nigeria.
The unveiling, which was done at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja by Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is meant to bring up digital and accelerated information transmission on internet fraud from the public and un-impeded response from the Commission.
It is provided with both local and international telephone numbers through which the EFCC can be reached on a 24-hour basis on matters relating to cybercrime in Nigeria and across the globe. The unveiling was part of the highlights marking the National Cybercrime Summit organised by the EFCC with support of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption, RoLAC, Programme, European Union and International IDEA.
The Summit was themed: “Alternatives to Cybercrime: Optimizing Cyber Skills for National Development.” Highlights of the programme include panel discussions on alternative frameworks to insulate youths from cybercrimes, a presentation of awards to winners of the EFCC 2024 Essay Competition organized for students in secondary and tertiary schools in the country, with cash prizes ranging from N350,000 to N800,000 and a documentary on the activities of the EFCC in the last one year of Mr Ola Olukoyede’s resourceful leadership.
Speaking in a keynote address following the unveiling, Mrs Tinubu noted that the theme of the summit resonated deeply with the current challenges cybercrime posed not only in Nigeria but across the globe. According to her, “Cybercrime is not a crime against individuals and businesses. It is an assault on our collective integrity, economic stability and the future of our youth”. She praised the EFCC for devotedly seeking a solution to the lingering menace.
