R- L: Acting Assistant Director, Nigeria Police Force (NPF) National Cybercrime Centre, SP Abubakar Smart; President, Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Mr. Godfrey Bivbere; Lecturer, Lagos State Polytechnic, Dr. Layinka Adagun; ASP Amusire Felix; and ASP Emmanuel Nwoye at the one day workshop on Cybercrime organized by MARAN at its International Press Centre (IPC), GRA, Apapa, Lagos…recently.

A Police Chief, Mr. Abubakar Smart has enjoined journalists, especially those covering the maritime sector of the economy to be conversant with the provisions of the laws regarding cybercrime.

Smart who is a Superintendent of Police (SP) also urged media practitioners to be discipline in the discharge of their roles and responsibilities as members of the fourth estate of the realm.

The Police Chief who is also the Acting Assistant Director, Nigeria Police Force, National Cybercrime Centre stated that there was need for journalists to be mindful of their choice of words while writing and posting anything online.

He stated this at a cybercrime workshop organised for journalists by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) at its International Press Centre (IPC), GRA, Apapa, Lagos recently.

He averred that the pen can be sharper than the knife; therefore, journalist should ensure that whatever they push out online would not put them in trouble.

His words: “What strikes the mind of people when we talk of cybercrime is internet fraud but it is more than that. Today, it has become a global threat due to the way we use the digital technology, the nature of our work and the way we interact online. Journalists need to be well-informed about the Cybercrime Act of 2015, as amended, to be more educated about cybercrime so as not to fall victim.”

In order to define what it entails, the Police Chief described cybercrime as any criminal activity done on the cyber space in any social media platforms.

According to him, these include bullying, stalking, fraud, identity theft and phishing.

Continuing, Smart said: “The punishment for cybercrime can be up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to millions of Naira, asset forfeiture. We should be aware of regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the cyber space is free. These include the National Cybercrime Commission (NCC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”

On his part, a Mass Communication Lecturer, Lagos State Polytechnic, Dr. Layinka Adagun enjoined journalists not to be desperate to be superstars.

Adagun maintained that the zeal to confirm exclusive stories and the persistence to get information first could make some bullied just as stated that some media professionals had a misconception that their daily activities, particularly intellectual outputs were removed from internet governance.

“The internet has become a global tool for everything including a channel for freedom of expression but sadly, the freedom that the internet depicts is now being attacked and users intimidated. We all need to safeguard our access and activities on the electronic highway,” he said.

He argued that cybercrime could be avoided, reduced or eliminated through a combination of individual awareness, organisational measures and technological solutions.

According to the don, some strategies are to educate ourselves on cybercrime. Use strong passwords. Be cautious with links and attachments. Keep software up-to-date and implement cyber security policies.

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