Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun on Monday, reaffirmed the expertise of the Nigeria Police Force in tackling cybercrimes and protecting cyberspace in Nigeria and beyond.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi’ said the IGP disclosed this while commending the Police operatives attached to Zone 7 command and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) Abuja for bursting a group of foreign Nationals involved in a series of cybercrimes including internet fraud and marketing scams.
The FPRO who was flanked by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, (NPF-NCCC), CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry disclosed that the suspects were arrested on the 3rd of November 2024 in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to him, during investigation, operatives of the NPF-NCCC recovered a vast array of digital critical evidence, believed to be instrumental in the syndicate’s cybercrime operations in the country.
He explained that the recovered items included 1 Black Toyota Tundra vehicle, laptops of different makes, smartphones of various brands, tablets, desktops, computers, and keyboards, Harman/Kardon sound system, MTN routers, Huawei routers, Airtel routers, D-Link routers, Starlink routers, Gamepads, 1 Sony PlayStation 5, a central processing unit, Multiple SIM cards from both local international service Providers, High-capacity servers, Drones and specialized cyber equipment, international passports, identity cards, and travel documents.
He further explained the assets recovered were suspected to have been used in executing a range of cybercrime activities, including unauthorized data breaches, marketing scams, and other cybercrime activities.
According to him, ” the scale and sophistication of the operation underscores the increasing global threat posed by cybercriminal syndicates operating across borders.
He pointed out that as a follow-up to the investigation and recoveries, compiled with credible evidence against the suspects, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has arraigned the 113 foreign nationals facing serious charges.
According to him, ” the charges include computer-related fraud, unlawful access to data, marketing scams, money laundering, conspiracy, and illegal immigration before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
He further explained that the arraignment of these suspects followed extensive investigations that uncovered the alleged involvement of these individuals in criminal activities spanning cybercrime, immigration offences, and human trafficking networks.
The FPRO reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and Embassies to track and prosecute cybercriminals, combat cybercrime and other forms of transnational criminal activity, and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable under Nigerian law.
He said that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun while reaffirming the commitment of the Force to leverage the emerging technological advancement to protect the citizens of Nigeria both physically and in the digital space, further reiterated that the Force was well-dedicated and well-equipped to combat cases of cybercrime in the country.
He however urged the Citizens always to profile foreign nationals while engaging in business transactions with them, especially in letting out of apartments.
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