Cybercrime: NDIC calls for national, international collaboration

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called for national and international collaboration between governments, law enforcement and the private sector to check increasing spate of cybercrime in the country.

Mr Imade Uhunmwagho, the Head, Information Technology Department of the NDIC, made the call at the 2021 workshop for Financial Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Ibadan on Friday.

In a lecture with title: ‘Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Landscape in Nigeria: The Need for Consumer Protection’, Uhunmwagho, said national coordination, data collection and effective legal frameworks would help to discourage the act.

”Cybercrime poses a great threat to individuals and organisations, hence the need for increased efficiency and effectiveness in the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of the crime,” he said.

He noted that the absence of sufficient and strong laws to prevent and punish cybercrimes, the quest for wealth among others, had blended to make the crime a significant problem in the country.

He listed some cybercrimes affecting businesses in the country to include phishing attacks and website spoofing.

Others ransomware and malware attacks Business e-mail Compromise (BEC), romance scam, investment scam, BVN fraud, identity theft and cyber stalking, among others.

“Cybercrime is a fast-growing type of crime. It has caused serious harm and poses very real threats to unsuspecting victims.”

“More criminals are exploiting the speed, convenience and anonymity of the internet to commit diverse range of criminal activities that know no borders; either physical or virtual.”

“Efficient and effective short and long-term response to cybercrime by government at all levels would guarantee greater deterrence,” he said.

Uhunmwagho said that enforcement of cybersecurity frameworks was part of regulatory measures adopted to reduce the crime.