Dare Babalola
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate have arrested 19 suspected internet fraudsters in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to a statement on the agency’s X page on Friday, the suspects, comprising 18 males and one female, were arrested on Friday following credible information that linked them to fraudulent internet activities.
Items recovered from them include: a Honda Civic car, 33 mobile phones, five laptop computers, one peak power generating set, three bluetooth speakers, a white calabash and other fetish items.
The statement added that “they will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had earlier warned that the rising cases of internet fraud are worsening visa restrictions for innocent Nigerians abroad.
At an event he attended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs, the anti-graft agency boss urged young people in the South-South and across the country to channel their energy into productive ventures such as digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the creative industry.
He highlighted that “internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of naira annually, undermining national growth and depriving citizens of infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities.
“Beyond the economic damage, he pointed out that the crimes erode Nigeria’s international image and subject innocent Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad.”
