Posted by BY LEKAN FADEYI on
IRKED by the increasing rate of Internet-related crimes, otherwise known as Cybercrime, in the country, professionals in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) during the week, urged both stakeholders in the industry and the federal government to double efforts at putting the menace at bay.
IRKED by the increasing rate of Internet-related crimes, otherwise known as Cybercrime, in the country, professionals in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) during the week, urged both stakeholders in the industry and the federal government to double efforts at putting the menace at bay.
Investigations conducted in Lagos State by the group have revealed that 85 percent of youths whose ages range between 14 and 20 are in the habit of sleeping in cybercafes under the guise of night browsing.
The professionals expressed dismay at the fact that the internet is now being used to carry out nefarious activities by fraudsters who are now introducing youths to it.
They noted that Nigerians, including the youth have turned cybercafes to conduit pipes through which they dupe foreigners and unsuspecting people who never solicited for their services.
Against this backdrop, they advised that enough monitoring be embarked upon.
While some of the youth confessed that they had been arrested and released by the police in the past, it was discovered that many of them still make reservations for as long as between two to three days, while others have permanent spaces in cybercafes of their choice.
The Chief Executive of Attain Systems Limited, Mrs. Lizzy Charles- Akhabue described as unfortunate situation where the technology, which provides opportunity to learn without limitation, is today being abused.
According to her, it is worrisome that youths have also formed the habit of using the Internet to indulge in things that they would ordinarily not be exposed to.
Charles-Akhabue, who said it is not an impossible task to curb the crime in Nigeria, like it is done in places like America, appealed for more commitment through adequate monitoring of activities of the youths.
A law lecturer at the Essex University in the United Kingdom, Dr. Gbenga Bamodu described as nauseating the experience of a Nigerian, Peter Okoeguale, 33, who was jailed for 20 months for his illicit role in the e-mail fraud, also known as the 419 scam.
Explaining that cybercrime is not peculiar to Nigeria, Managing Director of Condata Systems Limited, Dr Chris Nwannenna agreed that it is criminal and ridiculous for people to get involved in the act.
Nwannenna, who is the President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), stated that 419 is just a minute aspect of cybercrime. He said the increase in Internet related crimes is a pain in the heart of NCS.
"All that we ask government to do for us is to challenge us. But we are watching the Cybercrime Monitoring Group and will be more than ready to deploy our expertise in whatever form to assist them realise the noble goals of cleaning this society of criminals.
"We are capable of combating the crime, if provided the right atmosphere. There are products that could be used to ensure that your children do not have access to anything outside what you want for them," he said.