The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made a major breakthrough in its efforts to clamp down on cyber criminals in Nigeria. The commission’s operatives in Akwa Ibom State Command recently raided the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Ikot Akpaden and arrested no fewer than 19 undergraduate students for their alleged involvement in organized cyber crimes.
According to the anti-graft agency, the suspects were rounded up at their private hostels including Obong Abasi Lodge and Mfon Obong Lodge, after several months of surveillance and intelligence gathering. The students are accused of perpetrating romance scams, fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions, and impersonation.
Items recovered from the suspects include several laptops and mobile phones. The EFCC has vowed to charge them to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The agency has also warned students of tertiary institutions to be wary of untoward lifestyles and shun bad company, to avoid their future being truncated.
The Chairman of the EFCC, Abulrasheed Bawa, who disclosed the breakthrough, stated that the commission will continue to employ all legal means to bring cyber criminals to justice. He further emphasized that relevant sections of the law would be invoked in the process of getting suspected criminals to face the law and be punished if found culpable.
Internet fraud has been on the rise in Nigeria, particularly among the youth population. The EFCC has been at the forefront of the fight against cybercrime in the country, and has recorded several successes in recent times. The raid on AKSU is the latest in a series of operations by the commission aimed at stemming the tide of internet scams in Nigeria.
The EFCC’s crackdown on cybercrime is in line with the federal government’s commitment to rid Nigeria of all forms of corruption and economic crimes. The government has repeatedly stated that it will not tolerate any form of criminal activity, and will ensure that those found guilty are brought to justice.
The EFCC has called on members of the public to support its efforts by reporting any suspicious activities to the commission. The agency has assured Nigerians that it will continue to work tirelessly to rid the country of cybercrime and other economic crimes