By Nkechi Eze
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has urged Nigerians to demonstrate greater commitment in the collective fight against internet fraud, describing cybercrimes as a growing threat to the nation’s development.
Olukoyede made the call on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at a Security Summit in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State. The event, which focused on the theme “Social and Legal Implications of Cybercrimes in Nigeria,” brought together security experts, stakeholders and community leaders to deliberate on the challenges posed by the menace.
In an official statement by EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft boss, who was represented at the summit by the Zonal Director of the Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the Commission, Commander of the EFCC, CE Anselem Ozioko, underscored the urgency of collective action in breaking what he described as the “siege of internet fraud on the nation.”
“Cybercrimes have become monstrous threats to the growth and development of the nation and require the involvement of every reform-minded Nigerian to tackle them. The dangers posed to our development by cybercrimes have made it necessary for all citizens to continually lend their voices against the scourge. Cybercrimes have become a severe menace that we cannot deny, ignore or wish away. Individuals, groups and nations continue to count their losses to these crimes,” Olukoyede stated.
He decried the growing indulgence of Nigerian youths in online fraud, warning that the trend was alarming and detrimental to the country’s image and future. “It is undeniable that youths’ involvement in these crimes is alarming and worrisome. 2,328 cases of cybercrimes occur daily globally, with financial losses projected to hit £10.5 trillion by 2035. Cybercrimes portend a manifest and present danger to everyone in the global community,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman stressed that the Commission was not only studying the problem but actively enforcing laws and implementing solutions. “This reality strokes EFCC’s fight against cybercrimes. We are not only analyzing the problem, we are fighting the scourge by enforcing the laws against it and aggregating workable solutions through the Cybercrime Prohibition Prevention Etc. Act 2016, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2022, as well as through institutional policies and administrative frameworks,” he explained.
Olukoyede revealed that the EFCC has established a Cybercrime Response Desk to improve the agency’s capacity to act swiftly against fraudsters. According to him, the desk is designed to “receive and process real-time information on suspected cybercrimes for immediate enforcement action,” thereby helping to reduce the prevalence of cybercrimes and protect potential victims from financial loss.
He appealed to families and community leaders to support the anti-graft agency’s efforts by discouraging youth involvement in cybercrimes and embracing collective responsibility. “I wish to appeal to the conscience of parents and opinion leaders across the country to regard the fight against cybercrime as an urgent and compelling warfare. We must all join hands to tackle the hydra-headed monster which cybercrime has become,” he charged.
Other speakers at the summit included Major General M.K. Gara and Dr. Nka Obi’Bisong, State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), who also emphasized the dangers of cybercrimes and the need for collaborative action. The event was facilitated by Hon. David Agada Ogewu, the member representing Oju/Obi Federal Constituency in Benue State.
The summit concluded with a consensus that cybercrime remains one of the biggest threats to Nigeria’s security, economy, and reputation, and that the involvement of citizens, alongside security agencies, is critical in stemming the tide.
