The Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area in Anambra State, Honourable Echezona Anazado, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to deepen collaboration with his council in intensifying sensitization campaigns against cybercrime.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in Enugu, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE1) Aisha Abubakar, Anazado warned that unchecked internet fraud could lead youths into more dangerous crimes such as kidnapping and ritual activities. He emphasized that awareness campaigns were urgently needed in order to curb the growing menace.
“We have been fighting crimes before coming into government, even with little support. Now that I am in government, I have no excuse not to fully engage in this fight. I appeal to the EFCC to help us sanitize Nnewi North through sensitization because from yahoo-yahoo, they progress into kidnapping and then ritual killings. This is why partnership is critical,” he said.
Also present at the meeting was Comrade Henry Ogwudu, Convener of the Anambra Civic Pulse, who echoed the call for collaboration. He stressed the need for grassroots enlightenment, noting that many parents lack awareness of what constitutes crime, making it easier for young people to engage in fraudulent activities unchecked.
“Before now, cybercrimes were mostly city-based, but today they have spread into rural communities. With just access to Wi-Fi, these crimes thrive. That’s why we need to take this campaign to villages, schools, and marketplaces to make people understand the dangers of corruption,” Ogwudu explained.
Responding, ACE1 Abubakar commended the delegation for their proactive approach, describing their passion as “unique and inspiring.” She assured them of the Commission’s readiness to collaborate, stressing that public enlightenment is central to the EFCC’s mandate.
“Our EFCC Establishment Act empowers us to carry out sensitization campaigns on the dangers of corruption. We already run EFCC Radio and our weekly EFCC Connect programme to reach the public. With partnerships like this, we can reach even deeper into communities to empower our youths with the right values,” Abubakar said.
The visit highlights growing concern over the spread of cybercrime beyond urban centers into rural areas, with leaders calling for urgent collective action to protect the nation’s youths and communities.
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