Yahoo boys now involved in ritual killings, kidnapping, banditry – EFCC Chairman, Olukoyede
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has raised concerns over the growing criminal activities of internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo boys, warning that they have expanded beyond online scams into more dangerous crimes, including kidnapping, ritual killings, and arms trafficking.
Speaking on February 13, 2025, at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, Olukoyede revealed that Nigeria lost over $500 million to internet fraud in a year. He also emphasized the commission’s internal anti-corruption efforts, stating that 27 staff members had been dismissed over corruption allegations.
He called on the media to support the fight against corruption through investigative journalism, urging them to highlight both fraudulent activities and the EFCC’s achievements.
“We are doing the work. Last year alone, we had over 11,000 petitions, investigated close to 9,000, and prosecuted nearly 5,000 cases despite our limited manpower. Some people criticise us for going after Yahoo Yahoo boys, but they don’t understand the severity of the crime,” he said.
“It is no longer just about scamming people. They are now into kidnapping, banditry, and ritual killings. Some of our investigations have uncovered horrifying details, including cases where young female victims were used for rituals. If we don’t act decisively, in the next 10 years, we may not have a generation we can confidently hand over this country to.”
“You cannot be fighting corruption and be corrupt yourself. I have publicly challenged anyone to come forward with evidence that I have collected bribes in my years of service. Integrity is key in this fight, and we must lead by example,” he said.
“The media has always been a key player in the anti-corruption fight. In the early 2000s, before the EFCC was established, it was journalists who exposed many financial crimes. We need to return to that era where the media and law enforcement work together to protect the country,” he said.
“The media is a critical partner in this fight. The advocacy and awareness you create have helped sustain the anti-corruption movement in Nigeria. We ask for even more understanding in the way our work is reported. The fight against corruption is for the good of all Nigerians, not just the EFCC,” he added.
