The United States has announced plans to deploy a cybercrime advisor in Nigeria. The advisor is poised to facilitate cooperation between the two nations, offering essential training, equipment, and technical assistance to bolster Nigeria’s capacity to address cyber threats, including fraud scams and sextortion.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>
The decision to deploy the advisor, expected to be funded by the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), was disclosed in a joint statement released by the Governments of the United States of America and Nigeria during the sixth US-Nigeria Binational Commission held in Abuja April 29-30, 2024.
The statement revealed that the shared concerns regarding the adverse impacts of cybercrime on peace, prosperity, and security. It emphasised the imperative to reinforce efforts against cyber-enabled money laundering and fraud, underscoring the importance of leveraging technology and international cooperation mechanisms such as extradition and mutual legal assistance.
The joint statement reads: Quote
“Nigeria and the United States shared concerns regarding the threats that cybercrime poses to mutual peace, prosperity, and security. “Nigeria identified its several efforts and capabilities for combating cybercrime, presenting many avenues for bilateral cooperation.
“The United States commended Nigeria for acceding to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime in 2023 and Nigeria’s collaboration in several fora on cybercrime. “The United States and Nigeria pledged to work together on combating cybercriminals who target citizens of both countries.
“To that end, the United States announced the upcoming deployment of an INL-funded cybercrime advisor in Nigeria to facilitate that cooperation and provide training, equipment, and technical assistance to build Nigeria’s capacity for cybercrime, including fraud scams and sextortion.
“The United States also intends to provide additional support to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat the trafficking of synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl and captagon, to step up the interdiction and dismantling of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, and to facilitate more regional cooperation on countering drug trafficking and trafficking in persons.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>
