The Federal Government yesterday inaugurated a 31-man Cybercrime Advisory Council to tackle the rising criminal activities and protect the nation’s cyberspace that has cost the country N127 bn annually.

The council which comprises representatives of EFCC, ICPC, NAPTIP and DSS among others is to formulate ways of implementing the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention etc.) Act 2015, which among others provides effective, unified and comprehensive legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment of cybercrimes in Nigeria.

Speaking at the inauguration of the council, the National Security Adviser (NSA) Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd) who is the statutory chairman of the panel said activities of hackers and cyber criminals recently have threatened government presence, economic activities and security of Nigerians and vital infrastructure connected to the internet.

“Example of such activities include hacking of websites of government entities and diplomatic missions. The situation is made possible, partly due to lack of awareness of cyber security and poor enforcement of guidelines and minimum standards for security of government websites, particularly those hosting sensitive databases of Nigerians. Thus the need to take serious action to protect our national cyberspace has become a national security requirement,” Monguno said.