The Nigeria Police Force National Cyber-crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has been named the Best Cyber-crime Unit in Africa for 2024 by the INTERPOL Cyber-crime Directorate in Singapore, ranking first among 54 African countries.

According to the NPF-NCC, the achievement demonstrates the Nigeria Police Force's commitment to combating cyber-crime and improving citizens' digital safety.

It went on to say: “In the relentless efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to tackle every form of crime in all spheres, the Force has recorded an outstanding achievement for the year 2024 in retrospect, particularly in the area of combatting cyber-crime.”

In 2024, the NPF-NCCC says it successfully recovered a staggering more than $5.6 million, Tether crypto currency worth 115,237.91.

“These significant amounts have been restituted to the victims of cybercrime, reaffirming the commitment of the Force to protecting citizens and ensuring justice for those affected by fraudulent activities,” says the organisation.

Similarly, it went on to say, in the 2023, the Cyber-crime Unit actively engaged in strategic operations, resulting in the arrests and prosecutions of over 751 individuals involved in cyber-crime.

It explains: “The unit has successfully recovered a total of 685 devices that were used in these nefarious activities, which include 467 mobile phones, 137 laptops and computers, 46 routers, 4 servers, 1 drone, and 4 Starlink devices.

“Additionally, the operations led to the confiscation of 16 houses, 39 plots of land, 14 land documents, and 26 vehicles, further dismantling the infrastructure supporting cyber-criminal activities.”

Nigerian police advised citizens to be cautious when sharing sensitive data or interacting with unfamiliar online entities, stating that cultivating a culture of cyber awareness and promoting responsible online behaviour are critical components in fortifying defences against cyber threats.