The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on Nigerians to unite against internet fraud, which is damaging the country’s international reputation and leading to stricter visa policies that penalize innocent travelers. Speaking at an event organized by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs on Monday, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, represented by Chief Superintendent CSE Coker Oyegunle, urged citizens to reject cybercrime to ease the growing travel restrictions faced by law-abiding Nigerians.
According to a statement released by the EFCC on Tuesday, Olukoyede explained that fraud is not a path to success but a trap that leads to fleeting gains and severe consequences. He noted that those engaging in “yahoo-yahoo” often lose their freedom, reputation, and future, as the law catches up with them through their digital footprints. He advised young Nigerians against pursuing shortcuts that could ruin their prospects, instead encouraging them to channel their energies into legitimate ventures such as digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the creative industry to rebuild Nigeria’s global image.
The EFCC emphasized that internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of naira annually, hindering development and depriving citizens of infrastructure and job opportunities. These crimes also contribute to Nigeria’s tarnished international reputation, resulting in tighter visa restrictions for innocent Nigerians. In July, the United States revised its visa reciprocity schedule, reducing the validity of B1/B2 visas for business and tourism, as well as F and J visas for students and exchange visitors, to three months with single-entry limits, citing concerns over fraudulent activities.
The EFCC’s recent efforts to combat cybercrime include the arrest of 38 suspected fraudsters in August at Mambillah Hotel in Ikorodu by the Lagos Zonal Directorate, with vehicles, mobile phones, and suspected narcotics recovered. Additionally, the Benin Zonal Directorate secured convictions for 12 individuals, including two brothers, for fraud-related offenses in Edo State High Court.
At the same event, Mathew Ewah of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency highlighted the threat of drug abuse among youths, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps warned against pipeline vandalism in the South-South region. The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying awareness campaigns and collaborating with communities to curb cybercrime and restore Nigeria’s standing, alleviating the visa challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
PUNCH.