The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a building in the Iju area of Lagos that was being used as a training center for internet fraud, also known as “Yahoo School.”
During the operation, the police arrested four individuals, including two siblings, who were allegedly running the facility.
The suspects—Chibuike Ihejika, 23; Stanley Ihejika, 22; Obiora Oyediba, 26; and Emmanuel Oyedibe, 25—were taken into custody, along with six trainees involved in cybercrime training. The trainees included Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom, 20; Okeke Kwufrochikwu, 26; Uchenna Obeji, 26; Minachi Udochukwu, 12; and Chinedu Ukachukwu, 23.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hudenyin, confirmed that one of the underage trainees, Minachi Udochukwu, bore visible marks of abuse, allegedly inflicted by the primary suspect to coerce him into committing fraudulent activities.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspects recruited individuals from Anambra State, training them in internet fraud and other related criminal activities.
The proceeds of these illegal operations were reportedly seized by the main suspects.
The arrested individuals have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba for further investigation.
Police efforts are also underway to locate the sponsors who financed the trainees’ enrollment and the owner of the facility where these illicit activities occurred.
The police have warned the owner of the building to surrender to the SCID, as the Lagos State Police Command plans to ensure all suspects face legal action once the investigation concludes.