A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Techsocietal, on Thursday warned that cyberstalking is emerging as a serious threat to women’s safety.
The organizations Director-General, Mrs Tope Ogundipe, said online harassment could escalate into physical violence if left unchecked. She spoke in commemoration of National Stalking Awareness Day, observed annually on January 18 to raise awareness about stalking, support victims, and educate communities on prevention.
“Modern technology has amplified stalking, enabling abusers to monitor victims through mobile phones, social media, emails, apps, and smart devices. Personal data can be gathered and exploited without physical contact, making detection harder and increasing risks to victims,” Ogundipe said.
Citing data from ActionAid, she noted that about 45 per cent of women in Nigeria have experienced cyberstalking. She emphasized that cyberstalking should not be dismissed as a minor nuisance, warning that it can be life-disrupting and, in extreme cases, fatal.
Ogundipe referenced the case of Peggy Klinke, a 28-year-old woman stalked by a former partner, who was murdered despite taking extensive safety precautions. Klinke had reported the stalking to authorities, obtained a restraining order, relocated to another state, and alerted law enforcement, neighbors, and colleagues. Six days before her trial, she was located and killed by the suspect, highlighting the dangers of stalking in the digital age.
The advocate urged individuals to remain alert to warning signs of cyberstalking, including unexplained access to private information, unusual device behavior, unexpected authentication alerts, and unknown tracking notifications.
She advised the public to strengthen digital security by limiting app permissions, enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding public sharing of real-time locations, and keeping detailed records of suspicious activities to support legal action.
Ogundipe also called on technology companies and policymakers to prioritize safety-by-design measures. She said stronger protections within digital platforms can help prevent surveillance abuse and reduce risks associated with cyberstalking.
