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National Security: Ibadin Calls For Enhanced Cyber-security Measures
As Nigeria records an increasing trend in cyber-related crimes in various facets of the economy, a security analyst and consultant; Mr. Matthew Ibadin has called for urgent upscale of cyber-security measures put in place by the government to checkmate incidence of cyber-attacks that could compromise national security, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
In a paper presented on Wednesday at the 2024 Annual Security Conference of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) which held at the high brow Oriental Hotels, Lagos, Ibadin who spoke on the theme “Connecting the Dot Between Identity Tracking and National Security,” observed among other things that Nigeria has a culture of inconsistent identity tracking or outdated system.
This, according to him “creates gaps in our security framework and enables criminals, terrorists, and fraudsters to exploit the system. These bad actors use false identities to engage in illicit activities, undermining our national security and threatening the safety of our citizens.” He revealed that cybercriminals have stolen millions of identities globally, using them to fund activities like terrorism and other organized crimes.
Explaining his position and drawing some inference from Alex Hormozi’s principles on scalable success in business, Ibadin who is currently undergoing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme in Policy and Strategic Studies at the University of Abuja, declared that for Nigeria to meet up with the global standard, “we must apply the same clarity, urgency, and scalability to our national security systems. Just as businesses need structured processes to grow, our nation needs robust identity- tracking systems to protect its citizens from evolving threats.”
With his disclosure that cybercriminals have stolen millions of identities globally and used them to fund some heinous activities, he contended that “we cannot afford to ignore these risks. However, when we connect the dots between identity tracking and national security, we create a system where every individual is accounted for, every transaction is verified, and potential threats are neutralized before they escalate. This is the foundation of a secure nation,” he emphasized.
While harping on the urgency to address this issue, he noted that “every day we delay integrating advanced identity-tracking systems, we expose ourselves to threats we cannot afford. Identity theft, cyber-attacks and transnational crimes are growing rapidly, and their impacts are no longer just financial—they are existential.”
Like Alex Hormozi, highlights in his business principles, the security consultant would want to remind our leaders that urgency drives action. “We must adopt the same mindset for our national security. The threats are not coming tomorrow; they are already here today. If we fail to act now, the consequences could be irreversible.”
In urging for urgency in the upscale of our established cyber-security measures, Matthew Ibadin has reminded our policy makers of the need for scalability by creating systems that grow and adapt to new challenges. He argued that National security is no different as we need identity-tracking systems that can handle millions of data points and adapt as threats evolve.
He insisted that by implementing scalable technologies like biometrics, block-chain, and artificial intelligence, we can create a national security system capable of tracking and verifying identities in real time. These technologies can be applied across sectors like airports, financial institutions, and government agencies—ensuring that bad actors cannot exploit vulnerabilities. “Our identity-tracking systems must be built for scale, just like any successful business,” he added.
Mr. Ibadin who holds three Master of Science degrees in different areas of security from the University of Lagos and Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) with several certifications in security, stated that “by connecting identity tracking with national security, we offer a clear and compelling value proposition, a safer, more secure Nigeria” adding that “robust identity-tracking systems can prevent fraud, deter terrorism, and reduce crime, creating an environment where businesses can thrive and citizens feel protected. The economic benefits of national security cannot be overstated,’ he declared.
The one day conference was well attended by dignitaries from various walks of life and they included the Honourable Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Assistant Inspector General of Police, in charge of Zone 2, AIG Fayoade Adegoke; Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Ishola Olanrewaju; Board Member of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan; Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC ably represented by Assistant Corps Marshal, ACM Adeoye Irelewuyi; Chairman of EFCC ably represented by Deputy Director, Mr. Wole Ayo; Chairman of Ovation Media Group, Aare Dele Momodu; Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Mayor Hon. Dele Oshinowo; and many others in attendance. One of the highlights of the annual conference was an award presentation by NAOSNP to Mr. Matthew Ibadin for his contributions in the security space.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital has upheld the death sentence of Ramon Adedoyin, a prominent businessman and hotelier, for his involvement in the murder of one Timothy Adegoke, a former postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, the court affirmed the earlier verdict of the Osun State High Court, which had sentenced Adedoyin to death.
“The judgment of the High Court of Osun State stands. Adedoyin’s appeal is dismissed in part,” the court declared in part.
The Court of Appeal, however, set aside some aspects of the lower court’s orders, including the forfeiture of the Hilton Hotel and the order for Adedoyin to pay for the education of Adegoke’s children.
Furthermore, the court ruled that it had no jurisdiction to impose penalties outside the statutory provisions
Adegoke’s death was reported in November 2021 after his corpse was found at the Hilton Honours Hotel in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where he had lodged.
The hotelier had travelled from Abuja for an examination at a distance learning centre in Moro, Osun State on November 5 of that year.
He had checked into the hotel but was reported missing after two days. However, Adegoke’s body was found days later, leading to a probe that linked his death to Adedoyin and others.
In May 2023, Adedoyin and others were sentenced to death after they were found guilty of murder and conspiracy to murder.
But dissatisfied with the judgement, Adedoyin approached the Appeal court to dismiss the sentence and conviction.
The court of appeal, on Thursday, however, upheld the conviction and death sentence of the hotelier.
The Nigeria Police have announced that their operatives have rescued Mrs Folasade Odumosu, the wife of a former Assistant Inspector General, Hakeem Odumosu, who was last Thursday, kidnapped at the entrance of her home in Arepo, Ogun State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, noting that two of the kidnappers were killed while four others escaped without their weapons.
Adejobi said with the support of the Force Headquarters technical intelligence platforms, the Ogun State police operatives engaged Odumosu’s abductors in a gun duel and neutralized the criminals in the swampy area of Ikorodu on Wednesday.
The police spokesman added that Mrs Odumosu is currently undergoing a medical evaluation and has since been reunited with her family.
The statement read, “In a commendable display of teamwork and swift action, police operatives attached to the Ogun State Command have successfully neutralized the kidnappers of Mrs. Odumosu, wife of Retired Assistant-Inspector General, AIG Hakeem Odumosu, and rescued her unharmed.
“On January 16, 2025, at approximately 9:45 PM, four masked gunmen forcibly abducted Mrs. Odumosu from her Lexus Jeep outside her residence in Arepo, Ogun State. The abduction sparked an immediate response from the anti-kidnapping unit of the Ogun State Police Command, who commenced a thorough investigation and targeted pursuit of the kidnappers.
“With the support of the Force Headquarters technical intelligence platforms, the Ogun State police operatives engaged in extensive surveillance of the creeks surrounding Arepo, gathering crucial information to track down the assailants. Their efforts culminated in a raid on January 23, 2025, at around 06:45 AM. The intelligence-led operation took the police to a creek in the swampy area of Ikorodu, where the kidnappers were reportedly planning their next attack.
“Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the kidnappers, who opened fire. In the ensuing confrontation, two of the gunmen were neutralized, while four others fled the scene, abandoning their operational weapons.”
Adejobi said the police operatives recovered N10m initially paid to the kidnappers, four Ak-47 rifles, three locally made single barrel rifles, and ammunition of various calibres.
He added, “The victim, Mrs Odumosu was rescued within the swampy creeks during the operation, unharmed. She is currently undergoing medical evaluation as a precautionary measure and has since been reunited with her family. The police also recovered 4 Ak-47 rifles, 3 locally made single barrel rifles, ammunition of various calibres, and the sum of N10,000,000 ransom previously demanded by the kidnappers, further ensuring that justice is served.”
Adejobi said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the police operatives and the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, for the rescue operation.
He asserted that the Police Force is committed to safeguarding the citizens and combat kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has commended the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, and his operatives for their displayed gallantry in this successful operation.
“This operation exemplifies the dedication and resilience of our Police officers. The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mission to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes, providing safety and security to all citizens,” he added.
Mrs Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu is back in Nigeria.
Mrs Ekweremadu returned to Nigeria on Tuesday.
Senator Ekweremadu, his wife and one Dr Obinna Obeta, were sentenced to prison by a UK court for their involvement in organ harvesting.
The former deputy senate president was sentenced to 10 years, while his wife was sentenced to six years.
While the return of Mrs Ekweremadu is being celebrated across Enugu State, many are praying to have the Deputy Senate President back in the shortest possible time.
Source: DAILY Post
