National security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, yesterday in Lagos admitted that every 9seconds, a Nigerian commits crime on the internet with a sharp rise from 0.9% in the 90s to 9.8% in 2014.
He was represented by Special Services Officer, Alhaji Ibrahim Bamiye, at a forum “National cybersecurity forum”where he said that cyber threat is real as it poses a national threat and indeed obvious at the national level.
The forum was organized by the office of the National Security Adviser made up of stakeholders from the military, technocrats, banking, human right activists among others.
Ibrahim said cybercrime in Nigeria has taken advance form and calls for concerns from relevant security quarters to devise means of curbing the menace.
Ibrahim said, battle against terrorism can best be fought through joint efforts from corporate bodies, various stakeholders and security operatives in the security department.
Ibrahim said this forum will pave way for sourcing information, sensitizing the public on cybersecurity and formulating strategic theoretical consensus that will promote robust security network for combating crimes of any form.
Director of communications, Office of National security office, Ambassador Wando H. said with the growth in the use of computers and internet in Nigeria, cybercrimes have risen significantly as well. He complained that hackers, terrorists and other fraudulent persons most times target government establishments and institutions to get attention.
The Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, has taken significant steps in engaging public-private partnership, incorporation of international law practices, establishment of computer unit in intelligent gathering to building functional system, drafting and electing prominent members to fill up security council seats in the office of Presidency among others are some of the measures taken to curb crime in Nigeria, Wando said.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Head, Lagos state command, Mr. Ilisian Quabiyi said that cyberspace is limitless and full of opportunities. Engaging in crime is no excuse for unemployment.
Ilisian said functional framework should be geared towards meeting and developing other key sectors of the economy, meanwhile, regulation of telecom sector, maintainance of national infrastructures, public enlightenment, should be encouraged.
Nigeria communication satellite, CEO/MD, Ms. Abimbola Alade encouraged all stakeholders in the security department and private parastatals to get involve in Nigeria cyberspace so that our cyberspace can encourage foreign investors to flood the economy and promote employment opportunities.
Through network protection of lines, standards, security and education of customers is important she concluded.
Meanwhile CEO of Telecoms groups, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuweme challenged the military and other security agents in Nigeria on whose shoulders rest the responsibility for checkmating of crimes in the country.
Ekuweme advised the government to put in place the needed infrastructures and technical skilled personnel with technical ability to detect crimes.
He said a Nigerian military personnel once told him that he is not afraid to die but rather he is more afraid to die for her country as the fate of his family will be left in the hands of well wishers.
He however, advice the military to partner with other stakeholders in the cyberspace so that they can see how best crime can be curtailed to bearest minimum if not eradicated.
Chief Security Officer, CSO, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Taiwo Alonge said that cybercrime can only be reduced in the country when information is treated with utmost confidentiality, displayed of integrity and making the information available to appropriate areas when the need for them arises.
He maintained that the best way to manage security challenges is when people are educated on it functionally, involve in the process and inclusion of technocrats in decision making.
Although, he advocated for a robust informatition security policy framework and establishment of the national informa