Nigerian cybercrime centre inauguration scheduled for July 2025 in Bayelsa to serve South-South region with digital policing and forensic tools

Nigerian cybercrime centre inauguration in Bayelsa State is officially scheduled for July 2025, following the completion of the new National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) annexe.

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The facility, built to serve six South-South states, was recently inspected by top officials ahead of its formal commissioning.

Commissioner of Police, National Cybercrime Centre, Oche Ifeayin, conducted an on-site inspection of the completed centre.

Joined by the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, the inspection also included a tour of the state’s CCTV surveillance network, which showcases ongoing digital inclusion through real-time security systems installed across key urban areas.

The Office of the Special Assistant to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovation, led by Tokoni Peter Igoin, confirmed that the project is a result of coordinated government and private sector collaboration.

Igoin explained that the annexe forms part of a larger legal and national strategy to reinforce Nigeria’s digital safety net.

Legislative backing comes from the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, particularly Sections 38, 40, and 41. These provide for the establishment of cybercrime centres, support digital evidence gathering, and authorise a Cybercrime Advisory Council.

Further support is drawn from the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, which ensures that innovations like AI-powered checkpoints operate under strict data minimisation protocols and privacy compliance.

In addition, the Police Act of 2020 empowers law enforcement to embrace modern technologies such as forensic tools and digital surveillance, which are integrated into this project.

Igoin also cited broader national policies, including the National Security Strategy and recent Presidential Directives, which advocate for digital integration and inter-agency cybercrime coordination across zones.

The project reflects five months of strategic implementation since the stakeholder engagement held in Abuja in January 2025.

Notably, the annexe has been fully funded without direct government expenditure, thanks to support from private sector stakeholders such as PonkebiNG, PalmPay, Easyswap, Opay, and the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Igoin stressed the centre’s broader mission, which includes training in digital forensics, regulatory intelligence for Fintech, and deployment of technology to tackle road extortion.

His office is also working on projects to encourage youth entrepreneurship through EasyBiz CAC registration on NYSC platforms, and ensure secure financial environments by enforcing POS registration standards.

As the July commissioning draws near, the completed centre signals a shift in Nigeria’s approach to digital policing and cybercrime investigation.

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This initiative stands as a milestone in the country’s ongoing effort to blend innovation with legal compliance, strengthening national security while respecting fundamental rights.