Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
For decades, Ekiti State has proudly worn the badge of Nigeria's "Land of Honour," a state celebrated for producing some of the country's finest academics, professionals and intellectuals. Today, however, that cherished reputation is facing an unsettling challenge. Behind the quiet streets of Ado-Ekiti and other towns, especially Ikere-Ekiti, lies a growing concern that has become difficult to ignore: the increasing involvement of young people, including secondary school students, in internet fraud, popularly known as "Yahoo Yahoo." The trend has become so pronounced that recent operations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have reignited public debate about the scale of cybercrime in the state and the urgent need to rescue a generation increasingly attracted to the allure of quick wealth.
The situation has reached a point where parents of these young fraudsters, especially in Ikere-Ekiti and Ado-Ekiti, have reportedly organised themselves into an association popularly known as "Iya Omo-Ologo." The formation of this group has sent shockwaves through the state, highlighting the depth of the crisis and the complicity of some parents in the criminal enterprise. The association's emergence suggests that internet fraud has become so entrenched in the local economy that some families now see it as a legitimate source of income, even defending it against law enforcement.
The Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, who is himself an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti, painted a grim picture of the situation in a recent interview. He revealed that teenagers who should ordinarily be preparing for examinations are now spending hours learning online scamming techniques, creating fake social media profiles, communicating with foreign victims and searching for ways to make fast money. He said some students skip classes regularly, while others combine schooling with internet fraud, believing that academic qualifications are no longer necessary for financial success.
"If you go to the secondary school that I attended now, sir, by 12 noon, the students have left school. You see them in hotels, in groups, trying to scam people. You see secondary school students driving vehicles," Olukoyede lamented. The EFCC boss warned that the problem extends far beyond simple internet scams. "Now, sir, let me tell you the most dangerous aspect of it. It's not just about Yahoo Yahoo. Nigerians should know this. Some of them are into banditry. We have evidence. We have proof. Some of them are into kidnapping. Yes, because when they don't see people to scam, they kidnap," he said.
The crackdown on cybercrime has had a significant economic impact on Ekiti State. Since the EFCC commissioned its new office in Ado-Ekiti in June, concerns have emerged from sections of the business community. Operators of hotels, lounges, restaurants and entertainment centres have reported declining customer traffic, attributing the situation to fears generated by the anti-graft agency's operations. Some residents believe that individuals who previously spent lavishly in these establishments have either left the state or significantly reduced their public activities due to fear of investigation.
Former presidential adviser, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, raised concerns over the disturbing consequences of an economy that appears to have become dependent on proceeds from internet fraud. In a commentary titled 'When Crime Becomes an Economy: The Disturbing Lessons from Ado Ekiti's Near Empty Hotels,' Ojudu argued that while the recent decline in business activities may appear economically unsettling, it exposes a much deeper moral and societal crisis. According to him, many young people popularly referred to as 'Yahoo Boys,' alongside their associates, have reportedly left the state following sustained enforcement activities by the anti-graft agency. Ojudu noted that no society should build its economy around criminal proceeds, pointing out that the reduced patronage experienced by some businesses appeared to suggest that a significant segment of the urban economy had become dependent on the spending power of individuals allegedly involved in internet fraud.
The EFCC has defended its operations, insisting that its mandate is to create an environment where lawful businesses can flourish without competition from criminal enterprises. EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, maintained that officers operate within established Standard Operating Procedures and do not engage in arbitrary harassment or intimidation of innocent citizens. "We don't harass and we don't intimidate. We don't do night operations. Our officers are professionals; they know what to do," Oyewale said.
However, many residents insist that there is another side to the conversation. Among young professionals in Ekiti is a growing perception that dressing well, driving good vehicles or maintaining a corporate appearance is sometimes enough to attract suspicion. This has created tension between law enforcement and legitimate digital entrepreneurs, including forex traders, cryptocurrency investors and software developers, who fear being profiled as fraudsters simply because they earn substantial income online. A public affairs analyst, Tunde Owoeye, argued that while the EFCC must aggressively pursue fraudsters, law enforcement agencies should avoid creating an atmosphere where legitimate innovation and digital entrepreneurship are viewed with suspicion. He said the rise of legitimate digital careers, including forex trading, cryptocurrency investments, software development, digital marketing and other online businesses, has created a new generation of young Nigerians whose income sources differ significantly from traditional employment.
A financial expert, Bunmi Olatunde, added that owning expensive gadgets, driving luxury vehicles or appearing financially successful should never, by themselves, constitute evidence of criminality. She argued that investigations must always be based on credible intelligence, verifiable evidence and due process rather than stereotypes or appearances. She said Nigeria's digital economy continues to produce legitimate millionaires through technology, software engineering, cryptocurrency trading, content creation, artificial intelligence, freelancing and global remote work.
The political dimension of the crisis has also come to the fore. The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Segun Dipe, argued that the establishment of the EFCC office in Ado-Ekiti should be seen as a significant step towards promoting accountability, improving access to justice, protecting legitimate businesses and enhancing investor confidence. He called for professionalism and respect for the rights of law-abiding citizens during law enforcement operations. "This is timely because Ekiti is selling something valuable to the world: its reputation. Under Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Ekiti has chosen transparency as a governing style, not a campaign poster," Dipe said.
The formation of the "Iya Omo-Ologo Association" by mothers of suspected fraudsters in Ikere-Ekiti and Ado-Ekiti has drawn attention to the complicity of parents in the growing cybercrime epidemic. The association reportedly organised a protest against the traditional ruler and the EFCC chairman, both of whom had openly condemned the criminal activities that had become commonplace in the town. The backlash has highlighted the deep entrenchment of internet fraud in the local economy and the resistance of some families to efforts aimed at curbing the menace.
As Ekiti State grapples with this crisis, the path forward remains uncertain. The EFCC has made it clear that it will continue its crackdown on internet fraud, while legitimate businesses and digital entrepreneurs have called for a more nuanced approach that distinguishes between criminality and legitimate enterprise. The state's reputation as the "Land of Honour" hangs in the balance, and the outcome of this struggle will have far-reaching implications for Nigeria's fight against cybercrime.
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