During a visit by Newsmen management to the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Olukoyede highlighted the significant toll internet fraud has taken on the nation, revealing that over $500 million was lost in just one year due to such crimes.
He emphasized that the nature of internet fraud has evolved, now intertwining with more severe criminal activities like kidnapping, ritual killings, and arms trafficking. “The scope of the crime goes beyond online scams now.
Now These criminals are involved in far more dangerous activities. Last year alone, we handled more than 11,000 petitions, investigated almost 9,000, and prosecuted close to 5,000 cases, all with limited manpower,” Olukoyede stated. “Critics fail to grasp the full scale of this threat.”
The EFCC Chairman also expressed concern about the future, warning that without decisive action, the country could face grave consequences within the next decade. He pointed to disturbing discoveries in investigations, including cases of young women being exploited for ritual killings.
In addition, Olukoyede spoke about internal corruption within the commission, revealing he had dismissed 27 staff members in the past year over corruption allegations. He underscored the importance of integrity, challenging anyone with proof of his own involvement in bribery to come forward.
The EFCC chief also called on the media to support the commission’s efforts by adopting investigative journalism that highlights both corruption and the agency’s successes. He reminded journalists of their vital role in exposing financial crimes, as seen in the early 2000s before the EFCC was established.
Michael Nzekwe, Chief of Staff to the EFCC Chairman, also praised the media for its role in raising public awareness and advocated for further collaboration between the media and law enforcement. “This fight is for all Nigerians, not just the EFCC,” Nzekwe added.
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