What we’re doing to curb cybercrime – NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed some of its practical measures to curb the activities of cyber criminals.

NCC’s head of administration, Ibrahim Aliyu, said the commission had set up a department in charge of cyber security and had installed some latest equipment capable of tracking cyber criminals.

He stated this when NCC Chairman, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, led other officials of the commission on a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, China.

“Cyber security has been an issue of concern to the commission. As a result, NCC has established a department to be in charge of cyber security. The department collaborates with the office of National Security Adviser.

“Now, NCC has the latest equipment to monitor and trace cyber criminals directly. We are also collaborating with a London-based telecom firm to track down cyber criminals from there,” Aliyu said.

All these, he said, were to ensure that Nigeria is cybercrime-free.

Aliyu also reiterated Nigeria’s readiness for the 5G network.

He said though 5G network is data demanding, NCC was ready for the network, with its investments in broadband.

“In each geopolitical zones, the commission has licensed infrastructure companies to provide broadband internet facilities. To accelerate the deployment, the commission will give them incentives, a grant, to lay down the fibre rollout. As long as we have the broadband, switching to 5G would be easier,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NCC boss said the commission was determined to ensure that Nigeria take a pride position in the digitalisation of the world.

“We have noticed that the world is developing at a geometric progression, we cannot afford to go at arithmetic progression,” he said.

He relished China’s tremendous growth and development within the period of 40 years of reform and opening-up, expressing optimism that Nigeria could also get to that level of development with its enormous human and material resources.

He said the commission was planning to train some talented Nigerian youths to acquire technology skills abroad.

In his response, Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmad Jidda, emphasised the need for caution to be exercised in pursuing the 5G network, considering Nigeria’s foreign policy of non-alignment vis-a-vis the trade war between China and United States.