By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Nigeria Police Force has urged Nigerians to protect their financial information online, warning that unsecured public Wi-Fi networks could expose them to cybercriminals.
The police have warned Nigerians against conducting banking transactions over unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, as concerns grow over investment fraud, romance scams and sextortion.
The Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), Assistant Inspector-General of Police Okaninyene Ezima, gave the warning during a sensitisation programme in Abuja at the weekend, as part of the 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Ezima said the campaign, directed by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, was designed to educate citizens on emerging cyber threats and promote safer online practices.
He advised Nigerians who must use public Wi-Fi to protect their connections with a virtual private network (VPN), stressing that preventing cybercrime requires public awareness alongside law enforcement.
“If you want to use free Wi-Fi, then make sure you are using a VPN to protect yourself,” he said.
Ezima also raised the alarm over fraudulent investment schemes that lure victims with promises of unusually high returns. He explained that scammers often use fake online dashboards displaying growing investment balances to convince victims to commit more money while preventing them from withdrawing their funds.
According to him, some victims have lost hundreds of millions of naira, while others have suffered losses running into billions.
The police chief urged Nigerians to be sceptical of investment offers promising unrealistic profits, warning that the pursuit of quick returns could expose unsuspecting individuals to financial ruin.
He also cautioned against romance scams and sextortion, where fraudsters exploit online relationships and use intimate images or information to blackmail victims.
Ezima advised citizens to exercise caution when sharing sensitive content online and to safeguard their personal information from people they meet on digital platforms.
He further warned Nigerians against sharing verification codes with strangers, noting that cybercriminals could use such information to gain unauthorised access to WhatsApp accounts and other digital services.
The NPF-NCCC director urged the public to verify suspicious messages and investment offers, avoid clicking on unfamiliar links and confirm information before sharing it online.
He also cautioned that irresponsible online activities could expose individuals to fraud and potential legal consequences under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act.
The police urged Nigerians to report suspected cybercrime through appropriate channels, emphasising that vigilance and responsible digital behaviour remain critical to tackling online fraud.
The campaign’s central message is: “Think before you click and verify before you share.”
