The Nigeria Police Force in Ogun State has launched a public awareness campaign aimed at strengthening cyber security and protecting citizens from the growing threat of online fraud.
The initiative, introduced by the Ogun State Police Command, is part of the nationwide campaign of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) tagged “Real Odogwu No Dey Hide Face.” The programme underscores the importance of responsible digital behaviour and effective policing in an era where cybercrime continues to evolve beyond physical borders.
The campaign was formally flagged off on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and represented by the Director of the NPF-NCCC, Ifeanyi Uche Henry.
According to the Command, the awareness drive is designed to educate residents about the increasing sophistication of cyber threats such as identity theft, romance scams, phishing attacks and Business Email Compromise (BEC), crimes that often target unsuspecting victims through social media platforms, email and other digital channels.
As part of the campaign, the police have begun mounting awareness banners and information materials in strategic public locations across the state to encourage vigilance and responsible use of digital platforms. The move, the Command noted, is aimed at ensuring that citizens treat their digital identities with the same level of caution they apply to their physical valuables.
Residents have also been urged to adopt safer online habits, including protecting sensitive financial information such as ATM PINs, One-Time Passwords (OTPs) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), enabling multi-factor authentication on digital accounts and avoiding suspicious links or unverified online requests.
Security experts say public awareness remains a key component in the fight against cybercrime, as many online scams succeed because of limited knowledge about digital safety practices.
The Ogun State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a secure digital environment, noting that effective policing now extends beyond traditional crime prevention to include safeguarding citizens within the rapidly expanding online space.