By John Ogunsemore
The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede said Nigeria is in a “crisis situation” with the menace of internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo, in the country.
Olukoyede stated this in a video interview shared on the commission’s Facebook page on Monday.
According to him, Nigerians are being subjected to ridicule at foreign airports when travelling with the nation’s passport because of the nefarious activities of internet fraudsters.
He further disclosed that evidence at the commission’s disposal showed that many of the so-called Yahoo boys have ventured into banditry and kidnapping.
The EFCC boss said, “I want to use this opportunity to address the issue of Yahoo Yahoo boys that has become a major issue in Nigeria and people often accuse EFCC saying, ‘People are stealing mega money (and) you are not seeing them. The only people you can run after are Yahoo Yahoo…’
“I want Nigerians to know that we’re having a crisis on our hands. It is actually a crisis situation.
“If you travel abroad with your green passport and you’re on a queue among so many people, you’ll discover that by the time you present your green passport, the people will look at you with some reservations. That is if they don’t carry you aside for special scrutiny.
“That is a national shame that some young Nigerians have caused for us.”
Olukoyede said he often encountered so many indefensible things perpetrated by Nigerians whenever he interacted with foreign counterparts and government agencies in the course of tracing illicit funds and asset recovery efforts.
The EFCC chairman lamented that many Nigerian youths no longer believe in hard work.
“Just a few days ago, we arrested 120 Nigerians – young men.
“These young men don’t believe in hard work anymore,” he said.
Olukoyede explained that the menace has crept into secondary schools, adding that students now play truant, preferring to frequent hotels to defraud people rather than face their studies.
“You see secondary school students driving vehicles. Are those the people we want to hand over Nigeria to?
“Is that the nation we want to build?” Olukoyede asked.
He added, “Now to the most dangerous aspect of it. It is not just about Yahoo Yahoo and Nigerians should know this.
“Some of them are into banditry and kidnapping. We have evidence. We have proof.
“This is because when they know they don’t see people to scam on time, they go to kidnap.
“It is there. It’s in the news. People know.”
He further disclosed that some internet fraudsters launder money for politically exposed persons.
Olukoyede said the EFCC would continue to intensify efforts
