EFCC Chairman Says 6 Out Of 10 University Students Are Into Cybercrime

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised fresh concern over the growing involvement of Nigerian university students in cybercrime, warning that internet fraud is becoming deeply rooted within the country’s higher institutions.

Olukoyede made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN) held in Kano State.

The conference focused on strengthening university administration, financial accountability and the integration of emerging technologies into tertiary education management.

Addressing participants at the event, the EFCC chairman said recent findings by the anti-graft agency revealed an alarming rise in the number of students involved in internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.”

“My research in the last one year has shown that about six out of 10 students in our universities are into cybercrime. It is a very disturbing situation,” Olukoyede said.

According to him, many suspects arrested during recent EFCC operations across the country were discovered to be undergraduates from different institutions.

He stressed that the problem is widespread and no longer limited to a few campuses, warning that organised cybercrime networks are increasingly recruiting young people within universities.

Olukoyede linked the growing trend to weak institutional monitoring systems, poor accountability structures and societal obsession with quick wealth.

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The EFCC chairman also revealed that investigations uncovered cases where proceeds from internet fraud were allegedly used to compromise academic processes and influence officials within some institutions.

According to him, some lecturers and school personnel have allegedly been bribed by students involved in cybercrime, a development he described as a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.

He warned that allowing corruption and criminality to thrive within universities could damage the integrity of future professionals and national institutions.

“A university that lacks financial accountability cannot credibly train future professionals. The integrity of our universities is a matter of national security,” he stated.

Olukoyede cited the EFCC’s major operation in Lagos in December 2024 during which 792 suspected cyber fraudsters were arrested in a large-scale raid linked to online scam syndicates.

According to him, investigations from that operation exposed the level of organisation and sophistication now associated with cybercrime networks operating in Nigeria.

The EFCC boss further raised alarm over the increasing spread of “Yahoo Plus,” a dangerous form of internet fraud associated with ritual practices and spiritual manipulation.

He described the trend as deeply troubling and called for urgent national intervention to prevent further moral decline among young Nigerians.

Olukoyede urged university authorities to strengthen internal control mechanisms, improve student monitoring systems and collaborate more closely with security agencies to curb cybercrime on campuses.

He also advocated for wider adoption of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in university administration, particularly in payroll management, procurement systems, financial auditing and academic monitoring.

According to him, AI-powered systems can help institutions detect suspicious financial activities, identify irregular salary payments and improve transparency in governance processes.

The EFCC chairman disclosed that the anti-corruption agency has already begun deploying artificial intelligence tools for digital investigations, financial intelligence gathering and cybercrime tracking operations.

He added that the commission would continue expanding the use of technology in combating corruption, financial crimes and online fraud across the country.

Olukoyede’s comments come amid rising concern over the increasing number of young Nigerians being arrested for internet fraud and related cyber offences in different parts of the country.

Security experts and education stakeholders have repeatedly warned that the glamorisation of luxury lifestyles, social media pressure and unemployment are contributing to the growing attraction of cybercrime among youths.

EFCC Chairman Says 6 Out Of 10 University Students Are Into Cybercrime

Terrorists Threaten To Kill 176 Kwara Hostages Within One Week

Tension has escalated in Kwara State after terrorists holding 176 abducted residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area reportedly threatened to begin killing the captives within one week if their demands are not met.

The alarming warning was disclosed by the traditional ruler of Woro, Salihu Bio, whose wife is among the victims currently being held by the insurgents.

According to the monarch, the terrorists communicated the threat after a Jumu’ah prayer session held last Friday inside their hideout.

Bio said one of the abductees was later allowed to contact family members by telephone on Saturday to confirm that the victims were still alive.

The caller reportedly revealed that the captives, mostly women and children, were being subjected to Arabic lessons and Islamic indoctrination while in captivity.

“The abductees told us that after the Friday prayers, the terrorists said the government was not taking the issue seriously. They warned that if nothing happens within one week, they will start taking drastic actions,” the monarch stated.

Community leaders said the terrorists, believed to be members of Boko Haram, expressed frustration over the Federal Government’s alleged silence and lack of negotiation efforts since the abduction occurred earlier this year.

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According to sources within the community, the insurgents complained about the burden of feeding and keeping the large number of captives, insisting that authorities had failed to engage them meaningfully despite repeated attempts to draw attention to the situation.

More disturbing details reportedly emerged from conversations with the abductees.

The terrorists allegedly threatened to forcibly marry off some of the female captives and execute weaker victims if no agreement is reached before the deadline expires.

One community source described the situation as heartbreaking, saying families were living in fear and uncertainty.

“These are our wives, daughters and children. We are helpless because the terrorists are threatening to kill them or force them into marriage,” the source said.

The latest development has heightened panic across Kaiama Local Government Area and neighbouring communities already traumatised by repeated attacks linked to insurgent groups operating around the Kainji Lake National Park axis.

Security analysts have increasingly warned about the growing infiltration of extremist groups into parts of North-Central Nigeria, particularly forested areas spanning Kwara and Niger states.

The mass abduction followed deadly attacks earlier in 2026 in which dozens of villagers were reportedly killed while homes and properties were destroyed during coordinated raids on communities in Kaiama axis.

Videos previously circulated online by the terrorists showed large numbers of women and children seated in open areas while armed men issued threats and accused the government of ignoring their demands.

Despite mounting pressure from residents and civil society groups, there has been no official public statement yet from the Federal Government or security agencies regarding the fresh ultimatum.

Community leaders, religious groups and affected families are now calling for urgent intervention to secure the release of the hostages before the deadline expires.

They also appealed for stronger military operations and intelligence gathering to prevent extremist groups from establishing deeper roots in Kwara State and other parts of North-Central Nigeria.

Terrorists Threaten To Kill 176 Kwara Hostages Within One Week

Why I Attacked Female Police Officers With Baton — Suspect

A man identified as Adekola Jimoh Amobi, arrested for allegedly assaulting female police officers during a traffic enforcement operation in Osun State, has explained what led to the shocking incident captured in a viral video.

The Osun State Police Command paraded the suspect on Tuesday at its headquarters in Osogbo after operatives tracked and arrested him following days of investigation.

The incident, which occurred in Ido Osun near Aje Market, generated outrage on social media after a video surfaced showing the suspect attacking female officers with a baton and shovel while they were carrying out lawful traffic control duties.

Speaking during the parade, Amobi narrated in Yoruba language that the confrontation began after a vehicle ahead of him suddenly applied brake, forcing him to swerve toward the side of the road where the officers were stationed.

According to him, he managed to avoid hitting the first group of officers before stopping his motorcycle close to another group of police personnel.

“I was riding my motorcycle to Ido Osun when the vehicle in front of me suddenly stopped. I swerved toward the left where the police officers were standing. I avoided the first three officers and quickly stopped so I would not hit the others,” he said.

The suspect claimed that shortly after stopping, some of the officers confronted him physically.

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“When I asked one of them what offence I committed, she slapped me and my motorcycle fell. They also tried to drag me and my bike to the station,” he alleged.

Amobi admitted that he reacted violently because he was afraid of being arrested and losing his motorcycle.

“At that stage, I fought back because I didn’t want them to take me away. I collected a baton from one of them and used it on them,” he confessed.

He further claimed that during the chaos, another man chased him across the road while a bricklayer struck him with a shovel.

“For me to escape, I collected the shovel and used it as protection before running away,” he added.

The suspect revealed that he fled from Ido Osun to Ilobu before eventually escaping to Edo State to avoid arrest.

Despite attempting to evade authorities, police operatives later tracked and apprehended him through what officials described as an intelligence-led operation.

Expressing regret over the incident, Amobi apologised publicly and pleaded with the police for forgiveness.

“I know what I did was wrong. The officer I beat was not even the person who slapped me. I realised later that I had misbehaved,” he said.

“This is the first time I have ever entered a police station. I am begging the police not to send me to prison.”

Reacting to the incident, Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, condemned the assault on the officers and vowed that the suspect would be prosecuted.

The police commissioner described the attack as unacceptable and warned residents against obstructing or assaulting law enforcement officers while performing official duties.

“The suspect will face the full weight of the law. Assault on police officers carrying out lawful assignments will not be tolerated,” Gotan stated.

The viral video has continued to attract reactions online, with many Nigerians condemning the attack on the female officers, while others called for professionalism and restraint during law enforcement operations.

Why I Attacked Female Police Officers With Baton — Suspect