The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked young people in the country to close ranks, unite and confront the monster of corruption.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, made this request in his speech to youths who gathered at the Commission’s office in Lagos on Thursday for an event to commemorate the 2024 International Anti Corruption Day. The event had the theme, “Uniting the Youths Against Corruption, Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”.
Olukoyede, who was represented at the event by the Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Directorate, Michael Wetkas, highlighted the harmful effects of practices such as nepotism, favouritism, partisan and other extraneous considerations designed to tilt opportunities in favour of a few privileged people.
He urged the youths to form clubs, associations, societies and think tanks to promote integrity and good values. He also urged them to engage with platforms like the EFCC Integrity Club for primary and secondary schools and the Zero Tolerance Club for tertiary institutions.
Speaking further on the issue, Wetlas also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to tackling cybercrime and corruption.
He said, “Cybercrime is not just destroying lives; it is sinking our country’s image locally and internationally. If we don’t change the narrative, we risk extinction as a nation. Our future depends on the decisions we make today.”
Wetkas warned that Nigeria’s international reputation is under severe threat, with the country currently on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
“The world is watching us closely,” he explained. “If we fail to act, we risk being blacklisted, which will have grave consequences for our economy and global standing.”
The EFCC revealed disturbing statistics from a recent operation in Lagos, where officials raided a hotel and arrested over 200 individuals involved in cybercrime and drug abuse. Wetkas disclosed that of the 116 people taken into custody, 78% were secondary school students, and only 20.8% had attended tertiary institutions.
“These are children as young as 18 or 19, wasting their lives,” he said. “Some were so intoxicated they didn’t even realise we were standing in front of them. This is the future of our country, and it’s slipping away.”
He added that 64.1% of those arrested were living with their parents, while 76.4% were unemployed. “Many of these young people support their families through criminal activities,” Wetkas stated. “Sadly, 61% of their parents are aware of this. If you condone a child’s wrongdoing at home, one day, that child will steal from you.”
Wetkas also shared a case involving a 19-year-old boy who impersonated Nigerian musician Flavour to defraud an American client of $30,000. “Incidents like this tarnish our international reputation and make it difficult for Nigerians to gain trust abroad,” he lamented.
The EFCC called on parents, schools, and communities to play active roles in addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour among youths. Wetkas urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities and support the Commission’s efforts.
“Seventy per cent of respondents admitted they joined cybercrime for financial gain,” he said. “This isn’t just about poverty; it’s about misplaced priorities and values.”
He acknowledged an incident during the Lagos raid where an EFCC officer slapped a hotel staff member.
“The officer acted out of anger, which is against our rules of engagement. He was detained and punished according to our internal procedures,” Wetkas clarified. “We are committed to fighting crime, but we will not condone unprofessional conduct from our officers.”
