North Central Nigeria's Regional Conflict and Disinformation

also ft; Human Rights in Cyber-Secure Uganda

September 14, 2024

CybAfriqué is a space for news and analysis on cyber, data, and information security on the African continent.

Happy Weekend, CybAfriqans! 

So glad to write to you today after clearing some activities off my bucket list. If you’ve closely followed our newsletter in the past few weeks, you would realise we have been uncovering bits here and there about disinformation. Today, we analysed the cost of disinformation in the North Central region which ‘escalated’ an already puzzling case. If you’re like me, you will also get to know that (cyber) crime can be insured and this is not just for companies, but individuals too. 

Dig in!

HIGHLIGHTS

Regional Conflict and Disinformation in North Central Nigeria 

HumAngle reported the casualties of the December attack in 2023 on communities of herders and farmers in Plateau, a state in Jos. While these communities are uniquely identified by their preoccupation, their ethnicity and religion are other factors that have assisted in the catastrophe. Following the killing of a reputable farmer two days before Christmas, an act of revenge with vague motivations led to the deaths of hundreds of people, and this was aided by domestic and foreign media publications, including Sahara Reporters, Nairaland, Fox News, Washington Times and the New York Post, among others. 

What is more shocking is not the resultant effect of the killing of a farmer but what the internet or unsuspecting individuals—and corporate bodies—do to how the information is perceived and accurately disseminated. “Bad news travels faster than bullets,” a source in the HumAngle story said. 

The Northern region in Nigeria is predominantly populated by Muslims from the Hausa/Fulani ethnic group. However, the North Central landscape brings together different ethnic groups sauced with the Christian and Islam faiths and further implicated by their preoccupations in combat for land. With seemingly unending conflicts including terrorist and bandit activities, the region has garnered international observation. 

A disinformation target at these different people easily sends a memo of a dubious agenda as the regional conflicts have not been managed in the country, at least proven with no successful record of resolution. It also threatens national security and may mean something more like a foreign alliance—scratch that—"influence" to a fault. 

Human Rights in Cyber-Secure Uganda 

The alarming rate of cybercrime in Uganda led the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to place the country on its grey list as of 2020 and this lasted for four years. Optimistically, the country, in a move to counter cybercrimes, has started seeking funds to salvage the rising trend. This was piloted by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). 

It is no news that other African countries have embraced cybercrime legislation, which, by enactment, defaults on the human rights of citizens. Many rights groups across different countries have shared sentiments about their indigenous cybersecurity frameworks which affects the state of freedom in the country and boosts surveillance. 

In Nigeria, the Cybercrime Act has, amongst other things, been used to ‘silence free press’ and an unsuccessful attempt to charge a ‘levy’. According to Amnesty International, the cybercrime law in Tunisia has been resourceful in putting citizens behind bars pointing to a major threat to the freedom of expression. 

Uganda is not excluded. The opportunity cost of attaining a ‘cyber-secure’ Uganda is trampling on citizen’s constitutional rights. Civil societies have voiced concerns about the potential to harm citizens with the country’s goal to strengthen cybersecurity. In 2014, when the country’s Cyber Crimes Unit was created, this concern was also raised, yet it lingers. 

FEATURES

  • The global crime insurance market stood at $13.7 billion in 2022 and is estimated to grow to $47.7 billion in 2032. This is a result of different factors, however, primarily connected to the high speed of the internet, which enabled theft and fraud. 

HEADLINES 

  • Develop national cyber security strategies to enhance readiness across African countries - BusinessGhana 

  • Zimbabwe will introduce crypto regulations in major policy turnaround - TechCabal 

  • Egypt secures five new agreements with China to bolster ICT sector - Egypttoday 

  • Key Waka TV pirate caught in nationwide anti-piracy sting by MultiChoice - News24

  • Starlink launches in Zimbabwe at $350 to continue Africa push - TechCabal 

  • The Johannesburg Stock Exchange Introduces Cloud Marketplace - IT News

ACROSS THE WORLD

  • WhatsApp privacy policy fails POPIA compliance, says watchdog - IT Web

  • Google Introduces ‘Air-Gapped’ Backup Vault to Thwart Ransomware - SecurityWeek

  • Google’s AI Model Faces European Union Scrutiny From Privacy Watchdog - SecurityWeek

  • Ransomware demands exponentially increase, averaging $1.5 Million this year - TechRadar

  • VPN demand is on the rise worldwide – the US calls on Big Tech to step in - TechRadar

  • US offers $1 million for details on alleged Russian hacker - The Record

  • White House calls attention to 'hard problem' of securing internet traffic routing - The Record

  • Brazil’s ban on X highlights sovereignty over corporate interests - Weekly Blitz 

  • Poor broadband connectivity is costing London SMBs billions - IT Web

  • Data centres will now be classed as critical national infrastructure in the UK - IT Pro

  • UK National Crime Agency, responsible for fighting cybercrime, ‘on its knees,’ warns report - The Record

  • Cryptocurrency industry faces ‘difficult to detect’ North Korean social engineering scams, FBI says - The Record

  • Taiwan has accused Chinese firms of poaching their tech engineers - TechRadar

  • Iranian Hackers Targeting Iraqi Government: Security Firm - SecurityWeek

  • Healthcare Provider to Pay $65M Settlement Following Ransomware Attack - SecurityWeek

OPPORTUNITIES 

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