Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force, Lagos State Command have uncovered and dismantled an illegal internet fraud training center, popularly referred to as a “Yahoo School,” operating in the Iju area of the state.
A statement on Tuesday night by the Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said during the operation, police detectives arrested four alleged cybercrime experts who were running the illicit school.
The suspects, identified as Chibuike Ihejika (23), Stanley Ihejika (22), Obiora Oyediba (26), and Emmanuel Oyedibe (25), were reportedly training others in various internet fraud schemes.
Six trainees, including a 12-year-old boy, were also arrested. They are Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom (20), Okeke Kwufrochikwu (26), Uchenna Obeji (26), Minachi Udochukwu (12), and Chinedu Ukachukwu (23).
Preliminary investigations indicate that the principal suspects recruited their trainees from Anambra State and engaged them in cyber fraud while confiscating the proceeds of their crimes.
The underage suspect, Minachi Udochukwu, was found with visible injury marks allegedly inflicted by one of the principal suspects to force him into fraudulent activities. He is currently receiving medical treatment and has been placed in protective custody until his family is identified.
All 10 suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further investigations.
The police have also launched a manhunt for the financiers of the cybercrime operation and the owner of the facility, urging them to surrender themselves.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspects of the facility recruited their trainees from Anambra State, engaged them to commit internet fraud and other related crimes. The proceeds from their fraudulent activities were being confiscated by the principal suspects.
“All suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further discreet investigation and prosecution. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the sponsors who financed the trainees’ enrollment in the school as well as the owner of the facility where these criminal and illegal activities took place. The owner of the facility is hereby warned in his own interest to turn himself in immediately at the SCID Panti from wherever he is hiding,” the statement read.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, commended the officers involved in the operation for their dedication. He assured Lagos residents that the command remains committed to combating all forms of crime, particularly cyber fraud.
Meanwhile, the police are calling on members of the public who may have fallen victim to the syndicate’s fraudulent activities to report to SCID, Yaba, to file their complaints.
Parents and guardians have also been urged to monitor the activities of their children to prevent them from being lured into cybercrime. The police emphasized the importance of community vigilance and encouraged residents to report suspicious activities for prompt action.
“Consequently, parents and guardians are hereby strongly advised to monitor the activities of their children and wards to prevent them from being exploited, lured, or compelled into falling into criminal activities.
“Furthermore, any members of the public who have fallen victim to the fraudulent activities of this criminal syndicate are encouraged to come forward to the SCID, Yaba, with their complaints.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, also commends the police personnel involved in this operation for their dedication and professionalism that resulted in this success.
“The CP Jimoh assures all Lagosians that the Command remains resolute and committed to combating all forms of crimes and criminalities, including cybercrime tagged “yahoo,” etc.
He urges residents to report every suspicious activity or incident to the Police in their localities for prompt police action,” the statement added.
