EFCC Arrests 29 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Major Abuja Operation

EFCC Arrests 29 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Major Abuja Operation

Operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently apprehended twenty-nine individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud, commonly referred to as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo,’ in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to Naija News, the arrests were carried out by the EFCC’s Abuja Zonal Directorate on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. This was confirmed by Dele Oyewale, the agency’s Head of Media and Publicity.

The official statement disclosed that the suspects were detained at multiple locations within Gwagwalada based on credible intelligence regarding their alleged participation in online fraudulent activities. Additionally, the EFCC recovered 32 mobile phones of various models from the suspects.

The anti-corruption agency stated that the suspects would be charged in court after the conclusion of investigations.

In a separate development, a source alleged that EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, specifically instructed that no official should attend to the embattled former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, when he visited the agency on Wednesday.

The source indicated that Bello’s manner of arrival at the EFCC breached the commission’s protocol. It was reported that Bello bypassed some standard procedures due to the presence of Kogi State’s sitting Governor, Usman Ododo, who accompanied him and has immunity.

The EFCC emphasized that it would not be intimidated or compromised by any political institution and criticized Governor Ododo’s involvement in the case.

“Upon learning that Bello arrived with the governor and other dignitaries, the Executive Chairman ordered that no official should attend to him. His manner of arrival was a violation of our protocol. No individual, regardless of status, should arrive for an invitation in a convoy with a sitting governor.

“Certain documentation steps were skipped because Bello was with the governor, who has immunity. Additionally, the governor was not invited by the EFCC, so his presence was unwarranted.

“We are concerned about the governor’s role in this case. After completing all the necessary documentation, Bello should have come with his legal team, not with a governor or Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). We will not allow our system to be influenced by political interference,” the source stated.

The EFCC also accused Bello’s media team of spreading misinformation by suggesting that he was already in EFCC custody.

“The commission was displeased with the premature narrative promoted by Bello’s team, which falsely implied that the former governor was already in custody,” the source added.