The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has issued a strong warning to youths in the South-South region against engaging in internet fraud and other financial crimes, describing them as “deadly traps.”
He spoke through Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Coker Oyegunle during the week at an event organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs (CONYSSA).
Olukoyede stressed that while fraud may seem like a shortcut to wealth, it ultimately leads to severe consequences.
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“Fraud is not success; it is a trap,” he stated. “Many who follow the path of ‘yahoo-yahoo’ always end up losing their freedom, reputation, and future.”
He also highlighted that these crimes cost Nigeria billions of naira annually, damaging the economy, eroding the nation’s international image, and leading to stricter visa restrictions for innocent citizens.
Olukoyede encouraged young people to channel their talents into productive fields such as digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and agriculture, which offer sustainable opportunities.
“Youths are the engine of our nation,” he said, urging them to choose a path of creativity and honesty to build a globally competitive Nigeria. He reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to continuous sensitization and enforcement efforts.
Other security agencies also addressed the gathering.
The representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Assistant Commander General Mathew Ewah, warned that drug abuse poses a significant threat to Nigerian youths, leading to social problems and turning many into “misfits.”
He emphasised that prevention is the most effective tool in combating drug abuse.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), represented by Assistant Superintendent Kabiru Zakari, spoke on the dangers of pipeline vandalism, noting its devastating environmental and health effects on communities.
He urged youths to become protectors of national resources instead of being tools for destruction.
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The Director-General of CONYSSA, Ade Emmanuel, emphasised the collective role of young people in shaping Nigeria’s future and called for unity in the fight against insecurity and economic sabotage.
