By Adedapo Adesanya
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lamented the increasing rate of Nigerian youths’ involvement in cybercrimes, saying that over 70 per cent of the country’s young people might soon become ex-convicts.
This assertion was made by the Ilorin zonal commander of the anti-graft agency, Mr Usman Muktar, as he urged every stakeholder in the country to discourage the youth from internet fraud.
Mr Muktar said young people were increasingly arrested and imprisoned for cybercrime.
He urged parents to query their children’s sources of wealth.
“When your children in school stop asking you for money, or start driving expensive cars, parents should ask questions. Unfortunately, some parents support these youths in internet fraud. They say, it’s oyinbo money,” he said.
The EFCC handler drew a parallel that free money from cybercrime contributes to the use and sale of hard drugs and other substance abuse in the country.
“Corruption among elected political office holders is also a cause for concern. People should ask questions about projects and the quality of work and projects. It would make them sit up. Such programmes like TV/radio documentaries, write-ups, whistleblowing, etc, should be encouraged as we call on the media to join in the anti-corruption fight,” he said.
Mr Muktar warned fraudsters to desist from engaging in acts of corruption and steer clear of the three states under his command, saying that, the Commission was wide open and ready to catch any corrupt individual, anytime, anywhere.
The zonal commander of the Ilorin command of the EFCC described the media as a crucial partner in preventing corruption, economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.
Modupe Gbadeyanka