The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria, has confirmed the arrest of sixty suspected internet fraudsters at the Conference Hotel in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to the commission, the sixty boys were arrested during an awards night organized to honor some fraud boys for their illegal activities. The commission announced their arrest in a recent post they made on their official social media handle and shared photos from the arrest.
According to a statement by the operatives of the Lagos Command of the EFCC, the event tagged ‘Peer Youths Awards’, was organized to reward “high-level internet fraudsters”.
The operatives in the statement disclosed that items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest included exotic cars, electronic devices, laptop computers and mobile phones. Per the statement, the suspects will soon be charged to court.
The latest news got several people especially Nigerians reacting. While some were happy about the arrest, some were of the opinion that the EFCC should focus more on arresting corrupt politicians.
One social media user under the name David Jimoh noted that the EFCC are doing a very good job. He also stated that he hopes EFCC will also storm and arrest the organizers and attendees when APC governors convene anytime soon to give award to the most “thieving governor”.
Another social media user, Alayande Babatunde Taofiq who seemed not to be happy with the arrest said “the Items recovered are basic things that hardworking guys too have in their possession. If one is at a wrong place at the right time, na wahala be that ooo. Listing these things as items recovered is laughable”.
Another social media user, Adetunji Oduyemi, commended the EFCC, however, she emphasized that the EFCC is doing “a good job the wrong way”. She explained that the EFCC is “helping checkmate the audacity with which the Yahoo boys rub their ill-gotten wealth in the face of hardworking Nigerians”. However, the downside of the arrest is that the EFCC acts “unprofessionally” and sometimes break the law to pick up their suspects.
“The problem here is that, if you [EFCC] continue to act this way, you will only create a vacuum that will enable these guys gain sympathy in the long run. Especially because a lot of business gets ruined in the process and many innocents, who are just victims of circumstances suffer for nothing. You can’t correct a wrong by committing another wrong”.
Social media user
Social media user, Evergreen Stanley, like several others, advised the EFCC to leave the youth and rather investigate corrupt politicians.
“Carry due diligence before arrest. I doubt this hasty arrest of young people… Go after politicians starching our money”.
Social media user
Meanwhile, a social media user under the name, the Wise cautioned the EFCC to stop disrespecting the Nigerian Constitution. According to him the Anti-Torture Act, 2017 prohibits media shaming of suspect. Therefore, the EFCC should uphold the laws and not disobey them.
‘The Wise’ further claimed that the EFCC, like the Nigerian Police has been “parading suspects in public place” for a long time. This social media user noted that the EFCC make suspects carry placards, something they never make the political corrupt suspects do.
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