Olukoyede warns students against Internet fraud

Glory Ebomah

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyode has called on Nigerian youths to shun internet-related fraud and all forms of economic and financial crimes in the country.

He made the call on Thursday, October 19, 2023, when a delegation of students from People’s Comprehensive Academy visited the corporate headquarters of the Commission, in Jabi, Abuja on a study tour.

The Executive Chairman who spoke through Deputy Director, Public Engagements, DCE Nwanyinma Okeanu, said constant active engagement of students in the anti-corruption fight was the only way the students can know the policies of the Commission regarding the anti-corruption fight.

“It is good to have young people here, it is even better that you have come here at your young age to know why the Commission exists; to know what the Commission does, and to know what is happening around you, because this is a Commission catering for your future; an organization that ensures that nothing happens to your collective future”, he said.

Also speaking, the Head of the Creative Communication Unit, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I, Chris Oluka cautioned the students against joining the bandwagon of internet fraud. He urged them to learn and employ creative means to fight corruption such as drama, jingles and skits.

On his part, the Head of the Public Interface Unit, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I, Tony Orilade urged the students to embrace positive use of the new media such; as Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and YouTube, among others.

“Please we beg of you, as you grow up, don’t use your phone to do anything evil, because that phone can do both good and bad, it could send you abroad to further your studies, and could also send you to Kuje Prison to further your studies in the four walls of a prison, so the right choice is yours to make”, he said.

Also, the Head of the Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE11, called for a positive disposition towards the anti-corruption fight, stressing that students should be change agents in their conduct at all times.

“We expect you to be our foot soldiers, good ambassadors, people of integrity as the future of Nigeria is in your hands”.

She enjoined the students to always acquit themselves well, wherever they found themselves. In a presentation, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE I, Armaya’u Aliyu, cautioned the students to be careful in cyberspace, as crimes are now being perpetrated on a daily basis on the internet.

He highlighted impersonation, identity theft, and hacking of accounts as some of the prevailing cybercrimes in recent times. “Don’t take your parents’ phones, don’t chat up people you don’t know online as cyberspace is not safe”, he said.