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By Gilbert Ekezie
*Some participants and CPP members at the workshop
The Crime Prevention Partners (CPP) in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State recently brought together major stakeholders in the locality for a one-day workshop, to educate them on how to prevent themselves from cyber criminal attacks, and how to recover an account, if hacked.
The event, which took place at the council secretariat, Ajegunle, Apapa, was attended by community leaders, market people, political office holders, law enforcement agents, youths, groups and repentant cyber criminals, who acted a drama on how they operated, among others.
In his remarks, coordinator of CPP, Amb. Michael Ojobaro, said the workshop became necessary due to the phase of attack by cyber criminals on innocent people in the society.
He stated that due to the menace, CPP decided to come up to sensitize the people on how to prevent being attacked or if attacked, how to recover their funds.
He noted that CPP has been able to make some of those who were into cyber crime to change from their criminal ways and become better people.
He said: “The CPP has been able to identify some of those involved in the crime, empower them and give them a sense of belonging to make them become a genuine part of the society, through skills acquisition.”
Ojobaro promised that CPP will create a cyber community for everyone who attended the programme, and would be enlightened and updated on the various ways the cyber criminals operate.
“Due to the wave of cyber crime nowadays, we have decided to wage war against it. If not, many people will fall victims.
“We want to do that by creating a cyber community in Ajeromi Ifelodun local government area, where we will be enlightening the people and updating them on how to avoid becoming victims,” he added.
In his speech, the vice chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA, Mr Lucky Uduikhue, said the issue of cyber crime and the activities of hackers have been worrisome and needed to be given serious attention before they become worse.
He explained that to prevent hackers from hacking accounts, people should create strong passwords to their accounts, and not share their locations on their mobile phones.
Uduikhue, who represented the chairman of the local government area, Hon. Fatai Adekunle Ayoola, at the event, informed the participants to change their passwords, at least every month, and avoid using words from the dictionary as passwords.
“Do not dispose of papers containing your details, do not click on every mail you see and avoid using transactions with public networks.
“Also, do not use the same password on all your accounts, avoid using date of birth as password and be mindful of who you give your phones to,” he advised.
The computer scientist and cyber security expert expressed displeasure that the council has talented young people, who should use their gifts to be more productive, but decided to be problems to the society through their criminal acts.
He blamed some parents who support the illegal activities of their children, especially those into cyber crime and hacking, as they share from the proceeds of the illegitimate business.
According to him, “some parents are not helping matters. They support their children who are cyber criminals. That’s the reason the issue of cyber crime is difficult to curb.
“These young men can make legitimate money with the talents and knowledge they have, instead of using them in a criminal way to rip-off people of their hard earned money.”
He advised those into cyber crime and hacking of accounts to have a rethink and channel their knowledge into things that will benefit them and the society more.
Uduikhue commended the CPP for the laudable programme and expressed optimism that with the sensitization programme, the activities of cyber criminals and hackers will reduce.
Councillor representing Ward A, in Ifelodun LGA, Bolajoko Sulaimon, commended the organizers of the workshop, saying it was really educative and informative.
He said that cyber attacks have been rampant these days, and if nothing was done to curb it, the society will be in a very serious trouble in a short period of time.
He said: “I commend the efforts of Amb. Michael Ojobaro and his team in CPP for the wonderful initiative. I have been a regular participant in similar programmes organized by them because of the awareness and information I get here.”
Bolajoko appealed to the CPP to extend its programmes to Ifelodun LCDA, so that the residents will also be sensitized on mode of operation of cyber attackers and hackers, to avoid falling victims.
