EFCC Urges Youths to Unite Against Corruption and Cybercrime on Anti-Corruption Day
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on young people in Nigeria to unite in the fight against corruption and cybercrime. This appeal was made by EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, during the Commission’s event to commemorate the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day, held in Lagos on Thursday. The event, themed “Uniting the Youths Against Corruption, Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” gathered youths to discuss the pressing issue of corruption.
Represented by Michael Wetkas, the Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Directorate, Olukoyede emphasized the damaging effects of practices like nepotism, favoritism, and partisan interests that distort opportunities and favor a select few. He encouraged young people to form clubs, societies, and think tanks that promote integrity and good values. He also urged them to engage with the EFCC’s initiatives, such as the Integrity Club for primary and secondary school students and the Zero Tolerance Club for tertiary institutions.
Wetkas further stressed the EFCC’s dedication to tackling not only corruption but also cybercrime. He warned that cybercrime was not only harming individuals but also tarnishing Nigeria’s image both locally and internationally. “If we don’t change the narrative, we risk extinction as a nation. Our future depends on the decisions we make today,” he stated. Wetkas pointed out the country’s troubling position on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, noting that failing to address these issues could result in Nigeria being blacklisted, which would have serious economic and diplomatic consequences.
The EFCC also revealed alarming statistics from a recent raid in Lagos, where over 200 individuals were arrested for cybercrime and drug abuse. Of the 116 people arrested, 78% were secondary school students, and only 20.8% had attended tertiary institutions. “These are children as young as 18 or 19, wasting their lives,” Wetkas lamented, adding that many of the arrestees were unemployed and living with their parents, with 61% of parents aware that their children were involved in criminal activities.
Wetkas shared a troubling example of a 19-year-old who impersonated Nigerian musician Flavour to defraud an American client of $30,000. He noted that such incidents damaged Nigeria’s international reputation, making it harder for Nigerians to gain trust abroad.
The EFCC urged parents, schools, and communities to take an active role in preventing criminal behavior among youth. Wetkas explained that 70% of those involved in cybercrime cited financial gain as their primary motivation, noting that the issue was more about misplaced values than poverty. He also addressed a recent incident during the Lagos raid, where an EFCC officer acted unprofessionally by slapping a hotel staff member. “The officer acted out of anger, which is against our rules of engagement. He was detained and punished accordingly,” Wetkas clarified.
The EFCC called on Nigerians to report suspicious activities and support the Commission in its efforts to tackle corruption and cybercrime, urging a collective effort to secure the nation’s future.
