In a significant operation, the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended 48 students of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, on charges of alleged internet fraud.
In addition to the students, two other residents of the town were also taken into custody for alleged involvement in cybercrime, commonly referred to as 'Yahoo-Yahoo'.
The anti-graft body stated that this action was taken in response to credible intelligence regarding the escalating trend of such illegal activities in the state, particularly on university campuses. The EFCC released a statement on Thursday, in which the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, explained that the operation was aimed at ridding the state of corruption and other fraudulent activities.
Oyewale stated, “Upon discreet investigations, operatives of the Commission closed in on the suspects and got them arrested in their various hideouts after days of surveillance." He further revealed that several items were recovered from the suspects, including nine exotic cars, 24 laptops, and various brands of mobile phones.
The EFCC spokesperson confirmed that the suspects would be arraigned once investigations are concluded. He listed the names of the suspected students, which included Idris Yekini, Ayantola Segun, Adeshina Taheeb, Mustapha Alamin, Usman Harun, Oladimeji Oseni, Qudus Temitope, Adewunmi Israel, Lukman Uthman, Alamin Ibitoye, Usman Sadiq, Musbau Waris, Ibrahim Oluwatosin, Oladele Israel, and Rafiu Ashimu, among others.
The two residents of Malete who were arrested are Babalola Razaq and Godwin Ouna Ejika.