The Nigeria Police Force has appointed a seasoned crime fighter, CP Akaninyene Ezima, to head its National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), signaling a renewed push against rising digital crimes across the country.
Ezima, a veteran officer who joined the Force in 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police, takes over the high-stakes role with more than 30 years of policing experience under his belt.
His career has seen him operate across critical commands, including his role as Deputy Commissioner of Police at Zone 17 CID in Akure. He also made his mark outside the Force as Zonal Head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ibadan, Lagos, Benin, and Kano, where he earned praise for driving major anti-corruption efforts.
Before his latest appointment, Ezima served as Commissioner of Police at the Force Intelligence Department Annex in Lagos, sharpening his credentials in intelligence-led policing.
His elevation to lead the Police cybercrime unit is widely viewed as a strategic move to tackle the growing threat of cyber fraud and digital criminal networks in Nigeria.
He replaces the pioneer Director of the Centre, AIG Uche Ifeanyi Henry, who has been promoted and redeployed to head the Department of Training and Development at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
With Ezima now at the helm, expectations are high that the NPF-NCCC will intensify its fight against cybercriminals and strengthen Nigeria’s digital security landscape.
