Estate Manager Cries Out: Kogi Landlords Now Prefer Renting Houses To Yahoo Boys

Estate Manager Cries Out: Kogi Landlords Now Prefer Renting Houses To Yahoo Boys

Peter Suleiman, an estate manager in Kogi State, has raised concerns about the growing trend of landlords in the region opting to rent their properties to individuals involved in Internet fraud, commonly known as Yahoo boys, instead of legitimate businesspeople…..READ ALSO DSS Officer, Hunter Shot During Operation To Rescue Kidnapped Kogi University Students

In an interview with DAILY POST on Monday, Suleiman lamented that this trend is fueling criminal activities in Kogi State. He noted that many landlords have increased their annual rents without making any improvements to the properties.

Suleiman, who heads Good Trust Estate Management Limited, urged the State Government to take immediate action to curb the landlords’ exploitation of law-abiding citizens, cautioning that failure to do so could have dire consequences for the state.

“It is unfortunate that landlords in Lokoja and its environs prefer renting their houses to Yahoo boys instead of law-abiding citizens,” Suleiman stated. “Recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended some Yahoo boys in Lokoja. Since staying in a hotel exposes their illegal activities, they now turn to renting houses.”

“When they approach landlords, they are willing to pay exorbitant rents for single or two-bedroom apartments for extended periods. Landlords openly admit that they prioritize Yahoo boys because they doubt the ability of others to pay rent regularly,” he added.

Suleiman expressed concern about the implications of this practice on genuine businesspeople and called for urgent government intervention to regulate landlords’ actions. He also highlighted the prevalence of fake house agents contributing to the exploitation by facilitating deals with Yahoo boys for hefty commissions.

“Kogi State, being a civil service state, cannot afford such exploitation, especially in the current economic climate,” Suleiman emphasized. “Without immediate action, the state risks becoming a breeding ground for cyber fraud due to landlords’ pursuit of quick profits without considering the consequences.”