Tobias Sylvester
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa has revealed that over 400 Nigerians youths have been arrested for various cybercrime in the past three months.
Bawa disclosed this on Thursday while receiving a delegation from the University of Abuja led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdulrasheed Na ‘Allah.
He said: “From January 2021 to date, we have arrested more than 400 Nigerians suspected to be involved in various cybercrime or advanced fee fraud-related offences and that is to tell you how huge the problem is.”
The EFCC boss added that “less than 48 hours ago we arrested 18 individuals in Abuja”. Among those arrested, he said, are students of tertiary institutions.
While bemoaning the impact of cybercrime on the image of the country, Bawa advocated the reorientation of the younger generation, adding that the university has a crucial role to play in actualizing this.
He expressed optimism that there would be more collaboration between the EFCC and the University of Abuja in the areas of sensitization and deterrence to mitigate youth involvement in financial crimes.
The EFCC boss however commended the long-standing relationship between the EFCC and the University of Abuja, particularly the affiliation of the EFCC Academy to run specialized postgraduate programmes in Forensics.
“It is our desire that our officers are up to date as you are aware that crime is changing and evolving and the world has turned digital; everything is on the internet and there is the need to know new trends coming up and we hope that the collaboration through the establishment of different programmes will yield results in combating corruption”, he said.
Bawa further assured that the EFCC will do everything possible, including upgrading the facilities at the EFCC Academy, to ensure the success of the programmes.
He said, “we are looking forward to having e-classes where training can be held online without necessarily being physically present considering the present circumstance of the world”.
