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Nigerians have continued to react to the news surrounding the<a href="https://x.com/princemoye1/status/1815493584973447238?s=12" target="_blank"> commissioning</a> of the upgraded Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre with many considering it a rather unnecessary project amid the many ills bedeviling the force. The cybercrime centre, located in Abuja, is scheduled for commissioning on Wednesday by the president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 
The cybercrime centre, described by the police as an ultra-modern state-of-the-art facility, is aimed at preventing cybercrime and nipping it in the bud when it happens. But put more plainly, it is a centre designed and developed to tackle digital fraudsters popularly known as Yahoo Boys. And this has not gone down well with certain members of the digital media space who believe cybercrime is quite minuscule in the bigger picture. 
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 President Bola Tinubu [Image: TheCable]
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Akin, a netizen said: National Cybercrime Centre instead of National Cybersecurity Centre. Should the government be more interested in tagging youths as criminals rather than developing out cybersecurity industry? 
Similarly, DJ a concerned Nigerian wondered why a centre is been commissioned to tackle cybercrime and nothing has been done to address thieving politicians: 
“It’s painful that most are worse than Tinubu. How can we be talking about cybercrime whereas criminal politicians are looting billions and the very useless EFCC can’t do a thing but just chase after shadows? I do not think it is wise to keep wasting money whereas many challenges are facing the country. Too bad,” he said. 
Another netizen, Dr Dikachi treading the same line, wondered when the police would commission a terrorism centre and an anti-corruption centre rather than emphasizing so much on cybercrime just like the EFCC. 
A section of the reactions also focused on the trending #PoliceBarracks series which highlights the deplorable living conditions of police officers. For many of them, the police should focus on providing ultra-modern accommodations and prioritise their overall welfare rather than such a project as the Police National Cybercrime Centre. 
Agbalaka said: I almost thought you were about to announce the commissioning of new police barracks. Cybercrime Center is still good. 
Bethel commented: Show us the barracks where the officers working there will be living. 
Frank noted that: I thought it was a rehabilitation centre for officers. 
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There were those who believed the Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre would end up as another abandoned white elephant project like many government projects before it. 
Stanley said: Like how they commissioned and abandoned the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project? This govt go use Lamba wound Nigerians, but we no go panic. 
Some commenters questioned the wisdom of giving the notorious Nigeria Police access to monitor cyberspace as it is highly likely to be abused. 
Young Nation said: Empowering the police to control the internet could lead to abuse of power and bribery. Without CCTV oversight, they may exploit the situation for personal gain. 
Some commenters think this is too mundane for the Nigerian government and police to celebrate, insisting they ought to be doing bigger things for the country like launching space centres. 
Engr Jay said: This is too mid or rather regular. We should have grown past this! Citizens would rather be excited seeing the president invited to the commissioning of a space centre launching our indigenously developed satellite system to orbit not this. 
There was also a reference to the planned August 1 protest, with a social media citizen, Nkiruka, pointing out that protest is not a cyber crime and as such the police should not be too excited. 
Finally, Winston asked a succinct but rather profound and all-important question: Will this stop police corruption? 
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 A policeman searching a phone
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<h4 id="the-nigeria-police-national-cybercrime-centre" class="wp-block-heading">The Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre</h4> 
The Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre is touted as an ultra-modern, state-of-the-art facility poised to revolutionise cybercrime prevention and fortify national security in Nigeria. 
While announcing the commissioning, the Nigeria police said as a proactive security agency it has restructured, upgraded, equipped and deployed experienced personnel to the cybercrime unit for effective service delivery as part of the upgrading aimed at ensuring the safety of cyberspace. The police will also be launching the Nigeria Police Resource Centre all located in Abuja. 
See also: <a href="https://technext24.com/2023/10/02/crypto-traders-regulate-fraudster-police/">Regulatory uncertainty is why police would term crypto traders fraudsters- Blockchain leader</a>

Nigerians react as Bola Tinubu commissions the Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre

Technext.ng

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