By Calista Nwofor
Stakeholders have raised concerns over the growing rate of cyber hacking in Nigeria, describing it as “alarming, dangerous, and deceitful” with more negative impact than benefits to society.
Speaking with our correspondent, Mr. Abraham Dukuma, a cyber security commentator, said cyber hacking is now being misused by criminal elements to target innocent citizens instead of serving as a tool for national progress.
According to him, the practice has been “hijacked and weaponized” to track political opponents and facilitate criminal activities.
“It has done more harm than good. It also serves as a tool or network to monitor and disengage good governance,” Dukuma said.
He called on the government to “checkmate” the trend and ensure proper monitoring of activities in the cyber space.
“Those in charge of cyber space should make proper surveillance and monitoring to ensure positive impact to the society, so as to protect citizens from cyber attacks, hacking into people’s accounts and getting useful information,” he advised.
Link to Human Trafficking and Unemployment
Another respondent, Madam Chinwe, said many of those involved in cyber hackinng are also using it to facilitate human trafficking.
She lamented that the rise of the crime has made many Nigerians lose trust in the internet and social media.
Madam Chinwe attributed the trend to unemployment and discontentment among youths, noting that idleness has pushed some into cybercrime.
She urged the government to redirect offenders by equipping them with skills.
“The government should channel and inculcate those practicing cyber trafficking into good positions by training them into different walks of life, rather than awarding those perpetrating evil in society,” she said.
Both respondents agreed that urgent government intervention is needed to curb cyber trafficking through stricter monitoring, public awareness, and job creation for young people.
They stressed that without decisive action, hacking and cyber trafficking will continue to threaten national security, governance, and public trust in digital platforms.
