From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), said its operation against cyber crimes, led to the arrest of 751 syndicates and dismantling of about 5,049 malicious domains and networks operating within and and outside Nigeria in 2024.
The police also said that it’s operations led to the seizure and recovery of 685 devices comprising 467 mobile phones, 137 laptops/computers, 46 routers, four servers, one drone, and four starlink devices.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, at a press briefing yesterday, on the achievements, significant operational milestones, and numerous accolades received throughout 2024 by the NPF-NCCC), said the center confiscated 16 houses, 39 plots of land and 14 land documents alongside 26 vehicles, from major cybercrime syndicates during the period under review.
He also said that 508 cybercrime cases were reported with sextortion, cyberstalking.
Giving a breakdown of the center’s achievements in 2024, Adejobi said the department has also been able to secure 14 convictions, and recovered the sum of N8 billion which has been restituted to the victims.
Adejobi said that, “In early 2024, the NPF-NCC relaunched an upgraded Cybercrime E-Reporting System, enhancing accessibility and streamlining the process for citizens to report cyber incidents which include :extortion, cryptocurrency and investment scam, cyberstalking and other cybercrime trends. This system has increased reporting efficiency significantly, enabling quicker response times and more effective case management.
On the successful operations against cybercrime syndicates, in 2024, Adejobi, said, “the NPF-NCC coordinated and executed several high-profile operations, leading to the dismantling of about 5,049 malicious domains and networks and major cybercrime syndicates operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders. These operations resulted in over 751 arrests and prosecutions of cybercrime threat elements, 685 devices were recovered, which comprised of 467 mobile phones, 137 laptops/computers, 46 routers, 4 servers, 1 drone, and 4 starlink devices.
“Sixteen houses, 39 Plots of land and 14 land documents were confiscated alongside 26 vehicles.508 cybercrime cases were reported with extortion, cyberstalking, and other crimes.
“The department has also been able to secure 14 convictions, and recovered the sum of N8,821,001,881.80 ,115, 237.91 USDT and $84,000 which has been restituted to the victims.