The Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) achieved a significant milestone in 2024, successfully dismantling over 5,000 malicious domains, cyber networks, and major crime syndicates operating across national borders. These remarkable efforts have set the stage for an impressive year of combating cybercrime both within Nigeria and internationally.
In a press conference marking the center’s achievements, Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that the operation led to the recovery of over N8 billion and $84,000, which were returned to the victims of cybercrime. He also highlighted that the NPF-NCCC’s coordinated high-profile operations resulted in 751 arrests and prosecutions of cybercriminals.
The operation, which spanned 2024, led to the seizure of a staggering array of digital assets, including 685 devices such as 467 mobile phones, 137 computers and laptops, 46 routers, four servers, one drone, four Starlink devices, 16 houses, 39 plots of land, and 14 land documents. Additionally, 26 vehicles were confiscated as part of the ongoing efforts to clamp down on cybercrime across the country.
Adejobi reported that within the same period, 508 cybercrime cases were documented, with crimes like sextortion and cyberstalking being among the most frequently reported. The NPF-NCCC also secured 14 convictions in 2024, a testament to the center’s growing effectiveness in prosecuting cybercrime cases.
In early 2024, the NPF-NCCC upgraded its Cybercrime E-Reporting System, which has enhanced accessibility for citizens to report cyber incidents such as extortion, cryptocurrency fraud, and online scams. This upgrade has significantly improved reporting efficiency, ensuring quicker responses and better case management.
Adejobi also celebrated the NPF-NCCC’s recognition as the best cybercrime unit in Africa for 2024 by INTERPOL. The center emerged victorious in the competitive “Operation Serengeti,” outshining 54 other African nations in cybercrime operations. The center’s excellence was further acknowledged with several prestigious awards, including the 2024 Nation Building in Cybersecurity Services Award and the 2024 Cybersecurity Merit Award.
These accolades reflect the dedication of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, in strengthening Nigeria’s digital security landscape and protecting critical national information infrastructure (CNII). The NPF-NCCC’s achievements underscore the force’s commitment to the fight against cybercrime, positioning it as a global leader in cyber protection.
