The Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Cybercrime Centre, CP Henry Uche has warned of the adverse effects of cybercrime to development in Nigeria.
According to him, it is a silent pandemic directly striking at the heart of the Nigerian economy, values, and citizens' collective future.
CP Uche spoke in Abuja during the 3rd Nigeria's Nation Builders Annual Award 2025 organized by the National Council for Civil Society Organizations (NACCSO) in partnership with Vision-one Leadership Development Initiative (VOLDI).
At the occasion, he delivered a lecture titled, "Socio Economic Impact of Cybercrime on Nation Building,"
Stressing that 170 million Nigerians have access to internet on a daily basis, he pointed out that most people with internet access use it for cyber fraud.
He went further to proffer solutions to tackling the problem.
Speaking earlier, the president of NACCSO, Comrade Emmanuel Johnny said the award was to honour those who have distinguished themselves diligently in their fields of endeavour as well as their passion for the betterment of Nigeria and humanity.
Nation building, he said, is about being one another's keeper.
Comrade Johnny also urged President Bola Tinubu to take all the necessary measures to secure the country.
Delivering vote of thanks after receiving his award, immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), represented by Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole (Rtd) described civil society networks in Nigeria as important pillars in nation building.
Those awarded included General Musa (Rtd) recognized for integrity and national service, Registrar of NECO, Professor Ibrahim Wushishi, DG of National Directorate of Employment, Silas Agara, Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akuntunde Sawyerr, who were all represented at the event with the exception of CP Uche, Commandant, Minning Marshal, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, ACC Attah Onoja, and wife of the NSCDC Commandant General, Hajiya Aisha Ahmed Audi, amongst several others.