The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT Command will prosecute offenders of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu made this known during a one-day workshop on Tuesday in Abuja.
Odumosu said offenders will be punished under under the provisions of th Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as enhanced by the “Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024
The internal workshop, he said, was organised to enlighten personnel with the provisions of the cybercrimes Acts and Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) order.
He said that some individuals apprehended for vandalism or theft of CNII; fiber optics cables, transmission towers amongst others, were being charged according to conventional laws applicable to theft or malicious damage.
He said that such punishments had failed to address the national security, economic and strategic implications of tampering with CNII.
According to the commandant, CNII remains one of the core mandates of the corps and all hands must be on deck to ensure that Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) remained secured for the growth of the nation.
“This gathering is not just a response to security threats but a proactive step towards fostering collaboration, innovation and strategic planning to safeguard our cultural heritage from vandalism.
“It must be clear that the cybercrime law underscores the fact that attacks are no longer just physical vandalism but also digital or hybrid system interference, unauthorised access, data tampering,” he said.
Odumosu urged all the participants to cascade the knowledge they have earned to officers under them to ensure that vandalism was completely obliterated from the FCT.
NAN reports that the 2024 Order, signed by President Bola Tinubu, officially designates critical ICT infrastructure such as telecommunications towers, data centers, submarine cables, and e-government platforms as critical assets requiring heightened protection.
NAN also reports that the penalties for offences against CNII are severe and include up to 10 years imprisonment for unauthorised access, tampering, or interference with CNII.
Others are up to 15 years imprisonment if the offence results in grievous bodily harm to any person and Life imprisonment if the offence results in death.
(NAN)
