The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, has called on students in institutions of higher learning across the country, to steer clear of all forms of internet fraud in order to accelerate the development of the nation.
He gave the charge on Wednesday at the inauguration of Zero Tolerance Club at Baze University, Abuja.
Bawa, who was represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr. George Ekpungu, says the penalties of internet crimes are stiff, and therefore enjoined them to avoid all temptation that may lead them to join the trend.
“Every variant of internet fraud, such as romance scam, business email compromise, hacking, impersonation, forex scam and others are corrupt practices and must not be found among you”, he said.
Continuing, he pointed out that: “As undergraduates, you are expected to channel your creative energies into useful engagements and not into dishonest and dubious means of cheating others of their resources”, he added.
Director, Public Affairs Department of the Commission, Commander of the EFCC, C.E. Osita Nwajah, also stressed the importance of joining the club and the essence of the Operational Manual for Integrity and Zero Tolerance Clubs which are presented to the school as a guide for the club’s activities.
Also at the occasion, Head, Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, Aisha Mohammed said the essence of launching the club was to inculcate virtues of integrity, honesty, discipline, tolerance and patriotism in the students.
In a response, Registrar of the University, Mani Ibrahim Mohammed, emphasized the essence of being upright and charged the students to avoid crimes and criminality at all costs.
“There is nothing more important than integrity. Integrity may not give you money today, but it is going to put you on the path of success. Money always comes: it may not come in your early life, but if you work hard with integrity and you are steadfast, you will succeed, you will make money than you ever believe in your life, and you will be able to afford all the things you want in your life and be able to walk straight with your head high up as an important and respected member of the society”.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has continued to record more successes in its efforts to reduce the activity of internet fraudsters in the country, with the arrest of over 90 suspected internet fraudsters in Owerri, Abuja, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Enugu States in one week.
The suspects, according to the Commission, were arrested in a sting operation following actionable intelligence.
In Owerri, operatives of the Commission arrested 33 suspected Internet fraudsters. The suspects are Chukwu Frank Chinonso, Nnaji Ifeanyi Christian, Ezeji Princewill Chimezie, Ogbonna Georgewill Ndubuisi, Onuoha Daniel Chimaobi, Ekwusa Gerald Idiakachi, Echefulachi Divine Echefulachi, Ike Simon Chisom, Ike Michael Chimezie, Dike Princewill Chinanu , Okorie Gabriel Chigoziie, Matthew Izu Ofoha, Osakwe Godswill, Dickson, Nlemadim Godstime Izuchukwu and Njoku Gerald Chukwuebuka.
Others are Ubeachu Cannan Ikedi, Duru Ebuka Emmanuel, Ajoko Nzubechi God’swill, Onyimadu Alozieuwa Franklin, Akubueze Uchechukwu Franklin, Manji Gotom Sabastine, Uwandu bright Ogochukwu, Ubah Kingsley Chidozie, Chibueze Nelson Kennedy, Okwute Johson Onyedikachi, Ebuka Wisdom Obioma, Obiechefu Nmesonma David, Nwoke chibuzo Favour, Mensah Chisaraokwu Kelechi, Chigaemezu John Bright, Chikwado Christain Nmesoma,Nwoke Chukwuemeka and Christopher.
Items recovered from them include 43 mobile phones, 8 laptops, 1 POS and four luxury cars.
In Abuja, 8 suspected internet fraudsters were arrested by the Commission. They were arrested in Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja and Mararaba in neighbouring Nasarawa State.
The suspects are David Oche Igoche, Innocent Adikwu, Anderson Oshiomegie Edemode and Chinonso P. Peter. Others include Emmanuel Smart, Favour Anucha, Adegbayi Tunde and Desmond Esosa.
Over five mobile phones, 2 laptops and 2 internet linking devices were recovered from them.
In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC during the week arrested 14 suspected internet fraudsters, in an early morning sting operation carried out at different locations within Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State
The suspects are: Unwana Peter, Itoro Lucky Moses, White Solomon, Benjamin Inyang, Aniekan Akanawan, God’s-Favour Bassey, Moses Udiodua and Abasieyo Ndem.
Others are; Adinkwu Destiny, Charles Joseph, Joseph Edet Eduno, David John, Ndiana Abasi George and Nsikan Victor.
Items recovered from them include, laptops, mobile phones, a router and a Play Station 4.
In Delta State, operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission on Monday April 3, 2023, arrested 14 suspected internet fraudsters in Oghara, Delta State.
They were arrested based on actionable intelligence received by the Commission. The suspects are Iheanacho Winner, Ovojebe Elvis, Awe MacDonald, Promise Edafe, Daniel Omannurhomu, Onogbake Prince, Iyeke Ochuko and Precious Donald.
Others are Nwadei Chuknwuks, Terry Orovwigho, Terna Daniel, Benson Oghenekeuwe, Emojeuove Wisdom and Solomon Andrew.
Items recovered from them include a Lexus RX 350, Lexus ES 350, laptops and mobile phones.
In Enugu, twenty one suspected internet fraudsters were arrested in the Emene and New Kenyata, axis of Enugu.
The suspects are Kenneth Arinze Godfrey, Anichukwu Emmanuel Aku, Michael Israel Chukwuemeka, Anichukwu Obinna Christian Eze Chigozie Collins, Ije Samuel Chinenye, Ngwu Peter Damian, Johnson Wisdom Kelechi, Jude Leo Nelson, Tochukwu Ononuju Nelson, David Chinecherem Ezeagu and Okonkwo Kingsley Obinna.
Others are Chukwu John Chibuzor, Ogbonna Okechukwu Precious, Benedict Oluebubu Akarekwe, Akarekwe Michael chidera, Chinedu Amuka, Chukwunonso Emmanuel Oji, Chukwunonso Mmaduabuchi Obodo, Asogwa Christopher Ejiofor and Nnadi Chukwuemeka Leonard.
Item recovered from them include 32 mobile phones, 2 laptops, one iPad, and five luxury cars.
The suspects, according to the EFCC, have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded.
