NIGERIA: Reactions Trail EFCC’s Movements In Lokoja

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Reactions have continued to trail a social media post made by Odih Daniel Nuhu, a resident of Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, who alleged that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are now moving around the city in the early hours of the morning in search of suspected internet fraudsters.

Odih, in a viral Facebook post, claimed that the anti graft agency now prowls the town between 4 and 5 a.m.

He said he confronted two EFCC officials who attempted to scale the fence into his compound at about 5 a.m., and they told him they were tracking Yahoo boys.

The post, which sparked a flurry of reactions online, described the actions of the officials as disturbing and likened their hunt to “a Hausa man looking for a piece of iron.”

He accused the agency of exploiting the festive season, saying their sudden activity is fueled by the desire to extort people as Eid-al-Kabir approaches.

Several social media users have weighed in on the situation. While some expressed shock, others condemned the EFCC’s approach, describing it as unjust, unlawful, and targeted at struggling youths rather than the real looters of public funds.

One user, Abubakar Isah Sheriff, wrote, “And they can’t arrest those looting our treasury,” while Agungu Matthew said the commission should “concentrate on those stealing billions and trillions.”

Others like Shed Rack alleged that the objective is not to fight crime but to exploit young Nigerians. “They are not after Yahoo Boys to curb cyber crime. The sole aim is to get them and extort them ridiculously,” he wrote.

Another commenter, Psalm Sam, questioned the usefulness of the commission’s activities. He noted that while properties and money are often seized, the public never sees how the recovered assets are used. “Where is the societal impact of the money recovered from those individuals?” he asked.

Meanwhile, Promise Emmanuel also known as Kogi Rebel, an appointee Governor Usman Ododo also added his voice saying “Is there any law that empowers Law Enforcement Agencies like EFCC to break into the home of anyone to effect arrests without a court order or warrant?

“The activities of the past three days have left so many youths in Lokoja too traumatized.”

African Culture TV learnt that some persons have been allegedly arrested by the commission.

The EFCC is yet to react to the situation as of press time, as a text message sent to the Commission’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, is yet to be attended to.