By Amaechi Agbo

An alumnus of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Mr Ifeanyi Uche has emerged as the new chairman of the International Police Organization of the African Heads of Cybercrime Units, INTERPOL encompassing leaders from 54 nations.

Ifeanyi Uche, who is a Commissioner of Police
overseeing the Nigeria Police Force NPF National Cyber Crime Centre, replaces Ratjindua Tjivikua of Namibia, who completed his tenure as head of Cybercrime.

CP Uche emerged on Friday, May 3, after the 10th Africa Working Group meeting on cybercrime for heads of units held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel from April 29th to May 3. A total of 120 participants from 54 Nations in Africa attended the meeting.

A graduate of Mass Communication Department in ESUT in 1999, CP Uche said in his speech at the closing of the Africa Working Group Meeting on Cybercrime on Friday in Abuja emphasised the urgency of bolstering cybersecurity efforts in Africa due to the escalating threat of cybercrime.

He called for enhanced cooperation among law enforcement agencies and investment in technology and capacity building.

““Cybercrime poses a significant threat to our societies, economies, and security, and it is imperative that we work together to address this growing challenge. As chairman, I am committed to leading from the front, fostering the much-desired collaboration among our member units to enhance our collective ability to prevent and investigate cybercrimes effectively in Africa.

“The high penetration rate of new technologies in Africa increasingly exposes the sub-regional cyberspace as potential targets for cybercriminals, as most African countries still have low levels of commitment to cybersecurity.”

“It is important that we join the operational subgroups created by INTERPOL to bolster our collective efficiency in the fight against cybercrime in the subregion,” the CP said.

“I consider this as a call to champion the enthronement of a new charter of technological renaissance and home-grown cybersecurity ethics in Africa and a paradigm shift from absolute dependence on external solutions to African-nurtured technological initiatives, adaptive to our socio-political ecosystem. This is achievable by harnessing and leveraging our inherent collective expertise, and resources through a common political will.”

Speaking, the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said: “Having over 120 participants across 54 African countries and beyond engaging for over five days is not only commendable but inspiring because it gives us hope and confidence in the safety of Africa’s digital space and the prosperity of our nations and citizens.

“As you are aware, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical issue, not just for Nigeria but for the entire African continent. The rapid advancement of technology has brought unprecedented opportunities for development and progress, but it has also exposed us to new risks and vulnerabilities. As we witness the increasing digitization of our economies and societies, it is important that we strengthen our cybersecurity frameworks to mitigate these risks effectively. Cybercrime is borderless, and this means that collaboration is not an option, but a must.”

CP Ifeanyi Uche’s elevation signposts ESUT’s years of committed moulding of students to be pioneers in their endeavours