The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted reports alleging that its chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, labeled 70 per cent of Nigerian university students as internet fraudsters.
The controversy arose when Olukoyede was quoted as saying, “It is worrisome that seven out of 10 students today are involved in cybercrimes.” However, the anti-graft agency’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, issued a statement on Thursday, asserting that Olukoyede’s statements were misconstrued.
Oyewale clarified that the EFCC boss never claimed, “seven out of 10” Nigerian students are criminals. He explained that during a recent meeting with representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), where Olukoyede received a courtesy visit, the chairman emphasized the need for wider media enlightenment to address the rising incidents of internet-related crimes involving youths.
According to Oyewale, Olukoyede expressed concerns about the trajectory of youth involvement in internet fraud, stating that unless this trend is addressed and reversed, the future leadership of the nation may be at risk. The statement highlighted Olukoyede’s prediction that if the issue persists in the next decade, 7 out of 10 youths might be involved in cybercrimes.
The EFCC assured the public that Olukoyede is committed to the progress of Nigerian youths, emphasizing his call for collaborative interventions to provide more productive and sustainable alternatives. The clarification aims to dispel any misconceptions about the chairman’s remarks and reinforce the agency’s dedication to addressing cybercrime among the youth population.
