This is one of the designs by the multinational forces to take control of wireless signals in and out of Nigeria as the efforts to free the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls progress.
The militant Islamist group which kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls a month ago has allegedly been having internet communication with some prominent persons in the country since they fear their telephone might be bugged.
In a significant concession, the group has abandoned its initial demand for its top commanders to be released, seemingly aware that this would be politically impossible for the Nigerian government.
The UNION first reported details of Boko Haram demands when sources close to some of the militants’ families said that a senior Islamic cleric from northern Nigeria would be appointed to mediate on its behalf with the government.
A competent security source disclosed to our Correspondent that the move might not be unconnected with the incessant use of superhighway by members of the Boko Haram to broadcast obscene messages against the Nigerian nation.
It was also gathered that the move against controlling the superhighway was advised by the International community presently in the country to assist in the rescue effort of some 234 Nigerian schoolgirls earlier kidnapped by the insurgents.
“The Americans are not comfortable with abuse of the internet especially by members of the sect, in the North Eastern part of the country. They are using the internet to propagate their terror against the country and the people of Nigeria and that must stop,” a security source said.
The source said already, concerned and critical stakeholders would gather at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on June 18 and 19, 2014 to harness their input into the policy framework on cyber-security and that would be delivered to the National Assembly for approval.
At the conference being planned by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), participants will also build a national consensus on National Cyber-security Roadmap and also facilitate a unified e-security foundation for Digital Nigeria through a coordinated effort.
Adekunle Karounwi, Special Assistant Media and Publicity (ONSA), in a statement said the conference was being planned in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, Federal Ministry of Justice, Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, Nigerian Communications Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, Nigerian Communications Satellite and Galaxy Backbone.
“The National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, will attempt to secure the cooperation, understanding and the support of other critical government agencies and stakeholders, which will help to prevent disjointed policy document, as well as achieving a coherent and all-inclusive strategy in which all other similar cyber-security undertaken in the country will be infused into the overall framework of the National Cyber-security Policy.” Karounwi added.
The summit, he said, would also ensure a far-reaching inclusion of stakeholders’ critical views, addressing areas of strategic concerns, and laying a foundation for trusted relationship between the public and organised private sector on cyber-security.
He added, “With these, a national consensus would have been built towards the acceptance and the adoption of the policy and strategy documents, which aims to facilitate a trusted relationship required for effective implementation and partnership on cyber-security in the country.”
Chairman of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Hakeem Belo-Osagie, will chair the forum, while the Executive Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babatunde Fashola will be leading other dignitaries to declare the Forum open.
The event will afford ONSA, which has been in the forefront of ensuring all-inclusive legislative discourse on cybercrime bill, opportunity to bridge advocacy gap on cyber-security while enhancing public-private partnership and multi-stakeholder engagement towards successful implementation of these strategic documents.
ONSA has already established a state-of–the art National Digital Forensic Laboratory ready for commissioning, while the setting up process of the Nigerian National CERT (ngCERT) is at an advanced stage. The ngCERT is expected to become operational by 3rd quarter of this year.
Expected at the forum are captains of industry and corporate decision makers, civil society organisations, the media, the academia, lawmakers, lawyers and state governments.
Others include Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, Federal Ministry of Information, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Communication Satellite (NigComsat), Galaxy backbone, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Space Research & Development Agency, Nigeria Police Headquarters, Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment, Defence Headquarters, Federal Ministry of Education, National Orientation Agency, Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), State Security Service (SSS) and Ministry of Youth Development.
Source: The Union
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