This was revealed during a multisectoral stakeholder meeting on the Federal Ministry of Justice's cybercrimes awareness campaign in Abuja.
With regret, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, the Solicitor-General of the Federation (SGF), and Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, noted that cybercriminals now have an easier time and advantage when exploiting vulnerabilities on digital platforms to carry out their heinous enterprise.
They emphasized that the necessity to address the risks associated with the negative effects of the internet stems from the fact that, as technology advances quickly, so do the complexity and scope of cyber threats.
In a welcoming speech, the SGF mentioned that a detrimental rise in cybercrimes has been caused by the digital change that has truly altered life in the post-COVID era.
The chairman of the EFCC stated in his message of goodwill that "we have successfully investigated and prosecuted several cases of cybercrimes and so far recorded 395 convictions in advance free fraud cases and 1084 cybercrime conviction in this 2023" as an agency tasked with enforcing Economic and Financial Crime and cybercrimes.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, also revealed in his remarks that Nigerians' socioeconomic lives are under danger because to the growing volume of cybercrime operations.
He consequently emphasized how critical it is that government entities work together to confront the threat.
"The Nigeria Police Force has reinvented itself with a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to ensure the safety and security of the entire citizenry in the digital space. This is due to the force's recognition of the urgency and gravity of the exponential rise in cybercrime activities, which portends significant threats to individuals, organizations, and indeed the entire public sector."
In order to create a long-lasting plan and framework that will protect our digital landscape, the IG stated, "As the lead law enforcement agency in internal security, we remain highly committed and immensely proud to collaborate with various stakeholders including the organizers of this program and other international organizations."
The Nigerian Cybercrime Act of 2015 is out of date and needs to be reviewed in order to address the current issues posed by cyberspace, according to a statement made by the chairman of the Senate committee on ICT and cyber security, Afolabi Salisu.
He conveyed the national assembly's readiness to start reviewing the act right away in order to address the present issues with cybercrimes.
The national orientation Agency was also encouraged by the Senate committee chair on cybercrimes to make sure that the public is aware of the negative consequences associated with cybercrime.
The congressman further stated that more interagency cooperation in the fight against the threat would be possible by harmonizing Nigeria's internet laws.