By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has warned citizens to be vigilant against patronising fraudulent virtual policing platforms adding that members of the public should not to engage unknown security application platforms.
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relation Officer said following the recent proliferation of virtual platforms claiming to be affiliated with the Nigeria Police Force, it has become pertinent to inform the public that there are only three (3) approved applications/websites for virtual policing services. These include the NPF Rescue Me Application for emergencies which is available on android and ios; the NPF Central Motor Registry website for digitalized motor vehicle data; and the Police-VGS Quick Emergency Reporting and Response System (QERRS), a smart policing initiative aimed at revolutionizing police response to emergencies.
The Force wishes to reiterate that any other application or website claiming to provide virtual policing services are not approved by the Nigeria Police Force and are therefore fraudulent. Therefore, members of the public are urged to take note and follow the official Nigeria Police social media handles where information regarding approved services and updates are being shared regularly.
For the avoidance of doubt, the approved applications are available online via the following platforms – Police-VGS and NPF Rescue Me on Google Play Store and Apple iOS store; while the NPF CMR is available on a user-friendly public portal at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng. In the case of introduction or floating of any new application, the Force will make an official announcement through the media and its dedicated social media handles accordingly.
The NPF also wishes to warn all those involved in the creation, floating, or distribution of illegal applications and websites to be aware that they will face the consequences of the law as the long arm of the law will catch up with all those engaged in fraudulent and deceptive criminal activities.