Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has blamed suspects involved in internet fraud and money laundering for subjecting Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions criteria abroad.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Commission on
Tuesday.
The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede,
called on youths in the South-South region to resist the lure of internet fraud
and other financial crimes, describing fraud as a deadly trap that destroys
lives and futures.
According to the EFCC boss, “Internet fraud,
money laundering, and economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of naira
annually, undermining national growth and depriving citizens of infrastructure,
jobs, and opportunities.”
“Beyond the economic damage, he pointed out
that these crimes erode Nigeria’s international image and subject innocent
Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad,” the statement partly
reads.
Speaking at an event organized by the Coalition of Nigerian
Youth on Security and Safety Affairs (CONYSSA), Olukoyede, who was represented
by the Head of the Advance Fee Fraud Section, Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate
of the EFCC, CSE Coker Oyegunle, promised that the Commission will continue its
sensitization, enforcement, and collaboration with communities to combat fraud
and related crimes.
“Fraud is not a success; it is a trap. Easy come, easy go.
Many who follow the path of ‘yahoo-yahoo’ always end up losing their freedom,
reputation, and future. The law is catching up with them, and digital
footprints never disappear. Don’t destroy your tomorrow with shortcuts today,”
he stated.
He advised the youth to channel their talents into
productive ventures such as digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture,
and creative industries.
In his remarks, the representative of the Chairman, National
Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Assistant Commander General Narcotics,
Mathew Ewah, stressed that drug abuse remains one of the most dangerous threats
to Nigerian youths.
“Drug abuse is a social problem. Sadly, youths
are the majority abusing drugs in Nigeria, and this is worrisome. It turns many
into social misfits, affecting their families, communities, and ultimately the
country,” he said.
Agreeing with other speakers, the Assistant Superintendent
of Corps, Kabiru Zakari, who represented the Commander General, Nigeria
Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), warned that oil spillage from
vandalism leads to serious health issues, destroys creeks and farmlands, and
weakens agriculture in the South-South.
“Youths must stop being tools of vandalism and
instead serve as community surveillance officers who protect, not destroy, our
resources,” he said.
Recall that the EFCC had, on August 1, 2024,
established a new Immigration Fraud Section to address the increasing issue of
immigration fraud affecting Nigeria.
This initiative included the launch of dedicated units in
Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano.
Olukoyede had emphasized the urgency of this measure in
response to the growing number of immigration fraud cases impacting Nigerians.
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