The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has trained police officers to strengthen the fight against cybercrime in Nigeria.
The training, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, brought together frontline officers from across the South-South region who handle cybercrime complaints and investigations.
The NPF-NCCC was established to operationalise the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 and serves as Nigeria’s lead agency for tackling cybercrime through intelligence-driven and technology-based approaches.
Participants were trained in key areas including cybercrime fundamentals, relevant laws, digital evidence handling, cybercrime trends, investigation techniques, and victim-centred response strategies.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Cybercrime Foundation Course for Law Enforcement, UNODC Representative in Nigeria, Cheikh Touré, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to address emerging cyber threats.
He noted that the training was designed to equip officers with practical knowledge of cybercrime investigation and improve their ability to manage digital evidence effectively.
Touré emphasised that cybercrime is on the rise globally, placing law enforcement agencies at the forefront of tackling increasingly sophisticated threats.
“This makes your role, your vigilance, your technical skills, and your professionalism more important than ever,” he told participants.
He added that the programme would enhance operational readiness, promote inter-agency collaboration, and support effective handling of cyber-related cases in line with legal standards.
Touré also reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in building a modern and coordinated law enforcement system capable of addressing cybercrime and protecting citizens.
He expressed appreciation to the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (US INL) and the Nigeria Police Force for supporting the initiative.
In his remarks, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Uche Henry, described the training as a critical step in addressing the growing threat of cybercrime.
He said the NPF-NCCC plays a vital role in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital space, protecting businesses, and enhancing national security.
Henry urged participants to take the training seriously, noting that the knowledge acquired would improve their capacity to respond to cyber threats effectively.
Blessing Ibunge
