The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has appealed to the Nigerian law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), to end harassment of legitimate Nigerian startup developers, adding that the agency has data of legitimate I.T businesses in Nigeria which law enforcement agents can use.
This was disclosed by the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, in a meeting with the management team of the agency to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, in Abuja on Wednesday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
The NITDA boss added that startups have been reporting harassment from law enforcement officers, and added that the attacks are negatively impacting business operations.
What the NITDA boss said
Inuwa said, “The critical role of Start-ups in our journey towards a Digital Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.
“However, some tech Start-ups have reported being harassed by some Law Enforcement Agencies, with some having their IT systems confiscated.
“This has negatively impacted on their business operations as well as the economy.
“NITDA maintains a database of genuine Start-ups with verifiable business ventures and duly registered with the agency and access to such a database can be granted to the Force when the need arises.”
Inuwa said that NITDA is ready to partner with law enforcement to implement the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) which would ensure that citizens’ personal information was protected, tackle the menace of cybercrimes and encourage safer use of the Internet.
He revealed that cybersecurity has become very essential in today’s world where society is more reliant on digital technology than ever before, and the sophistication and relentless attacks of cybercriminals are incomparable.
“There is apparently no sign that this trend will slow down anytime soon and there is need for the collaboration between NITDA and the Force to tackle the menace through ensuring that organisations protect the personal information of all citizens at their disposal,” he said.
In case you missed it
Recall Nairametrics reported last month that the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) stated that the purpose of its Act review which has received criticisms from quarters is to act as an enabler for the growth and development of Nigeria’s digital economy and foster collaboration to facilitate the implementation of robust cyber security measures aimed at building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.