Police Launch “Real Odogwu No Dey Hide Face” Cybercrime Awareness Drive

ABUJA – The Nigeria Police Force has rolled out a bold nationwide online awareness campaign dubbed “Real Odogwu No Dey Hide Face” to tackle surging cybercrimes and instill safer digital habits among Nigerians. Launched by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), the month-long initiative spotlights the perils of identity theft, romance scams, business email compromise (BEC), sextortion, phishing, and online harassment that prey on unsuspecting citizens daily.

At Friday’s flag-off event in Abuja, NPF-NCCC Director CP Ifeanyi Uche Henry, PhD, drove home the campaign’s core message: true strength lies in transparency, not anonymity behind screens used for fraud. He painted a vivid picture of cyber threats as borderless predators exploiting ignorance, urging Nigerians from traders to tech-savvy youth to wield vigilance like a shield—guarding ATM PINs, one-time passwords (OTPs), Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and sensitive data with robust passwords, multi-factor authentication, and skepticism toward urgent or suspicious links. CP Uche warned aspiring fraudsters that the Centre’s Cyberhawk units, armed with cutting-edge tracking tools, leave no digital trail unturned, ensuring swift prosecution under the law.

Inspector-General of Police IGP Olatunji Disu, psc(+), NPM, hailed the effort as a cornerstone of national security, spotlighting vital backing from the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) and City of London Police. Their partnership underscores how global collaboration fortifies Nigeria’s fight against cyber predators who siphon billions from victims and tarnish the nation’s image. Representatives from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and National Youth Organisation echoed the call, pushing for grassroots outreach to rural areas where scams now infiltrate beyond urban hubs. UK’s NCA’s Matt Mountain praised the slogan’s youth appeal, framing legitimate hustles as the path of the “real Odogwu.”.

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The campaign arrives amid escalating cyber incidents, with police data revealing heightened targeting of businesses, individuals, and even government entities. Beyond evasion tips, it promotes proactive steps: verify before you click, shun fake payment alerts, and channel digital prowess into ethical ventures. As cyber hygiene becomes as routine as locking doors, the NPF vows relentless enforcement to deter the faceless fraudsters.

Ag. ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, reaffirmed the police commitment in the official statement dated March 6, 2026, calling on all Nigerians to join this digital defence frontline.