 annex in Bayelsa State is set for commissioning in July 2025,){kind=link}
Bayelsa Cybercrime Centre Ready for Inauguration as Federal Government, Private Sector Deepen Digital Security Collaboration
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) annex in Bayelsa State is set for commissioning in July 2025, marking a major milestone in the federal government’s push for digital transformation in national security and cybercrime prevention.
This was disclosed by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovation, Tokoni Peter Igoin.
Commissioner of Police, National Cybercrime Centre, Abuja, Oche Ifeayin, paid an official visit to the newly completed facility on Monday, ahead of its official opening.
During the inspection, he was accompanied by the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, who also conducted him on a tour of the state’s CCTV surveillance infrastructure.
The tour showcased the real-time impact of digital inclusion in policing, highlighting advanced surveillance systems deployed across critical points in the state.
Designed to serve as a regional hub for cybercrime investigations and digital forensics, the Bayelsa NPF-NCCC annex will cater to the cyber-related policing needs of six South-South states: Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
According to Igoin, the centre is a product of a strategic public-private collaboration, bringing together government efforts and support from notable digital and financial technology companies such as PonkebiNG, PalmPay, Easyswap, and Opay.
Notably, the project was delivered without any direct funding from the federal government, made possible through private investments and additional financial support from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
He noted that the facility aligns with the broader national security framework and legal mandates, particularly under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The Act empowers the establishment of cybercrime centres and enables digital surveillance, ICT-driven policing, and coordination of cybercrime investigations through the Cybercrime Advisory Council.
Further legal backing comes from Sections 38, 40, and 41 of the same Act, which legitimize the use of surveillance technologies, digital evidence gathering, and the institutionalization of cybercrime response centres.
The initiative also complies with provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, especially through innovations like the AI-powered Police Checkpoint System. This system is programmed to process only flagged vehicle plate numbers, ensuring adherence to privacy and data minimisation standards in line with national data protection laws.
In addition, the Police Act of 2020 empowers the Nigeria Police Force to embrace modern technological tools—such as digital checkpoints, forensics, and smart surveillance—as part of its operational framework to safeguard lives and property.
On the policy front, Igoin cited support from the National Security Strategy and recent Presidential Directives which promote digital intelligence, cybercrime coordination, and inter-agency collaboration at federal and zonal levels.
He emphasized that the progress made so far reflects sustained efforts following a multi-stakeholder engagement held on January 31, 2025, at the Old Sheraton Hotel in Abuja. The successful completion of the centre is the result of five months of focused execution and innovation.
Beyond its core mandate of cybercrime prevention, Igoin revealed that his office is committed to broader reforms. These include enhancing digital forensics training for law enforcement, enabling fintech regulatory intelligence, curbing roadside extortion through AI-based checkpoints, and promoting youth entrepreneurship via EasyBiz CAC registration integration on NYSC portals.
“As we prepare to inaugurate the Bayelsa Annex in July 2025, this inspection not only validates our progress but underscores the government’s resolve to strengthen digital security while upholding the rule of law, individual rights, and constitutional protections,” Igoin stated.