Tinubu calls for collaborative efforts to tackle insecurity

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the elimination of inter-agency rivalry among law enforcement agencies, stating that the insecurity in the country requires concerted efforts to curtail it.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, spoke during the inauguration of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said, “The security situation in the country is a complex blend of threats posed by well-organised non-state actors.

Addressing it requires a concerted approach by all stakeholders within the security architecture. I, therefore, call for the elimination of inter-agency rivalries and urge law enforcement agencies to embrace a coordinated, collaborative approach.”

Tinubu assured that his administration would invest in the procurement of arms and weapons, among other measures, to ensure the police force is well-equipped.

He said, “In line with our policy objective of reforming the Nigeria Police Force, we are committed to investing further in the Nigeria Police Force through the procurement of sufficient arms, weapons and other critical equipment, as well as recruitment and continuous training to boost the number, quality and preparedness of our police personnel.”

Tinubu, who described cybercrime as a new frontier of offences, stated that the country was witnessing a rise in threats posed by cybercriminals.

He added that his administration is committed to curtailing all forms of criminality in the country.

He said, “This administration remains resolute in the fight against all forms of criminality. As an emerging and rapidly evolving category of offence, cybercrime is a new frontier in that battle. We are witnessing a rise in threats posed by cybercriminals, online financial fraudsters and cyber terrorists who use the internet to coordinate and carry out their destabilising and nefarious activities.

“It is impossible to overstate the size of this challenge. The rapid emergence of technologies, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the advent of 5G technology have all contributed to widening the scope and diversity of cyber-based threats.

Since 2020, Nigeria has witnessed an unprecedented surge in the use of social media to spread subversive messages and incite violence.”

Tinubu said the Federal Government had taken several policy decisions, including the review of the National Cybercrime Strategy, to mitigate the multifaceted threats posed by cybercrimes.

The President called for collaboration between the NCC and the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure a greater level of scrutiny of online activities.

Speaking, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said the NPF-NCC has achieved a lot of results within the short period of its operation. He stated, “The centre has proactively engaged in high-profile interventions addressing cybercrime-related infiltrations and attacks.

Some of these attacks were carried out on government and non-governmental agencies. Many of the suspects in these cases were arrested and prosecuted, while trials are still ongoing in some of the new cases recorded.”

Egbetokun also said 70 per cent of stolen funds and assets had been recovered by the centre.