The Nigeria Police Force has warned Nigerians against disclosing passwords, personal identification numbers and one-time passwords (OTPs), identifying careless handling of sensitive information as a major risk to online safety.
The warning comes as the Force launches its 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Week to mobilise citizens, institutions and private organisations against cybercrime and other emerging digital threats.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the initiative, coordinated by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), is designed to promote responsible online behaviour and strengthen protection of Nigeria’s digital environment.
The campaign, themed “Towards a Resilient Cyberspace,” seeks to deepen public understanding of cybersecurity risks and encourage individuals to take practical steps to protect their personal information and digital accounts.
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, invited members of the public and relevant stakeholders to participate in activities organised to improve awareness of cyber threats and strengthen collective responses to online criminal activities.
The programme begins with a seminar and panel discussion on Thursday, October 15, at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, scheduled to commence at 10 a.m.
The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for participants to exchange knowledge on cybersecurity, examine emerging threats and discuss practical strategies for preventing cybercrime.
The Police will extend the campaign beyond the conference venue with a cybersecurity awareness walk scheduled for Saturday, October 17, beginning at 6:30 a.m. from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The walk is intended to take the message of online safety to a wider audience and encourage greater public involvement in efforts to protect the country’s cyberspace.
The Force has called on government agencies, private sector operators, educational institutions, civil society organisations and the media to support the campaign, stressing the importance of cooperation in tackling digital security challenges.
As part of the recommended precautions, Nigerians have been advised to use strong, unique passwords for their accounts, activate two-factor authentication and exercise caution when handling personal information online.
The Police also urged citizens to verify suspicious links and requests before responding, warning that the disclosure of passwords, PINs and OTPs could expose individuals to online fraud and other forms of cybercrime.
The Force said it would continue to pursue cybercrime prevention through public education, collaboration with relevant stakeholders and law enforcement.
It maintained that building a resilient cyberspace requires sustained public vigilance and responsible digital conduct, rather than relying solely on the intervention of security agencies.
