Madubuachi Idam, a human rights activist, likened the Federal Government's cyber security tax to stealing from Nigerians.

Idam argued that taxing Nigerians for security was both illegal and unconstitutional.

On Monday, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mandated that all Nigerian banks collect and submit a 0.5% cyber security tax to the Office of the National Security Adviser.

KUGJAY MEDIA said that the CBN made this announcement public through its directors of Payment System Management and Financial Policy and Regulation Departments, Chibuzor Efobi and Haruna Mustafa.

Reacting, Idam appealed to President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Government to allow Nigerians to breath.

Chatting with KUGJAY MEDIA, Idam said: “Why must citizens bear the cost of security in Nigeria?

“Taxing citizens to provide cybersecurity is tantamount to stealing from them by the government.

“Whether cyber or physical security, remains the exclusive responsibility of government. Under the social contract theory, citizens surrender their rights and loyalty to the state while the state in turn provides security for them. Therefore, it is grossly illegal and unconstitutional to tax citizens for the purpose of security.

“Funny how President Tinubu thinks that taxation is an alternative to production.

“He should be informed that he cannot tax his way out of economic crisis. Let him gather his team and think out of the box. Taxation is not an option.

“The neck pressing is too much, he should let us breath.”