By MONDAY IJEH

The Nigeria Police Force has called on citizens to adopt safe online practices to reduce the increasing rate of internet related fraud in the country.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), Mr Akaninyene Ezima, made the call on Saturday in Abuja.

Ezima told newsmen at the 2026 World Cyber Security Awareness Walkathon that public education and sensitisation were critical to reducing cybercrime in the country.

He warned Nigerians against falling victim to investment fraud, romance scams and sexual extortion.

He added that preventing citizens from falling into the traps of fraudsters would make the work easier for law enforcement agencies.

Ezima said the fight against cybercrime required more than arrests and prosecutions, adding that citizens must understand the risks associated with their online activities and learn how to protect themselves.

“It is not all about enforcement. It is more about sensitization by letting the people know what to do what not to do to avoid being victims of internet criminals,” he said.

Ezima said the prevalence of investment scams was high in the country because the victims were often lured with promises of extraordinary returns on investments in the stock market and other financial ventures.

According to him, victims are often shown online dashboards displaying steadily increasing profits, only to discover that they cannot withdraw their money after investing substantial sums.

He said some Nigerians had lost hundreds of millions of naira, while others had suffered losses running into billions of naira through fraudulent investment schemes.

The AIG said romance scams and sexual extortions were also, on the increase, adding that fraudsters sometimes exploit relationships established online to obtain intimate photographs from their victims.

Ezima urged Nigerians to exercise caution when sharing personal information, photographs and financial details online.

He warned against investment offers that promise unusually high returns, advising prospective investors to investigate the legitimacy of financial opportunities before committing their money.

The AIG questioned the credibility of schemes promising monthly returns of 30 per cent when conventional savings interest rates in Nigeria were significantly lower.

He said the perception that cybercrime in Nigeria was perpetrated exclusively by Nigerians was not true, adding that, Nigeria had become a target for international criminal networks.

Ezima said the police had arrested foreign nationals in connection with cybercrime cases.

He urged citizens to avoid providing criminals with opportunities to exploit their personal information, financial accounts and online relationships.

In a related development, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Department of Logistics and Supply, Mr Kenechukwu Onwuemelie said the awareness programme was a reflection of the Inspector-General Police approach to strengthening internal security.

Onwuemelie said cyber security was an important component of national security, noting that the programme was designed to educate Nigerians on the dangers confronting them in the digital space.

He said the week-long initiative which culminated in the sensitisation exercise was intended to deepen public understanding of cybercrime and encourage safer online behaviour. (NAN)