The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Kaduna Zonal Directorate, has confirmed the arrest of 11 individuals suspected of engaging in internet-related fraud in Kaduna State.
According to an official update shared on the Commission’s X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, the arrests followed credible intelligence that linked the suspects to various fraudulent cyber activities. The operations were conducted in the Mahuta and Barnawa areas of Kaduna metropolis.
“Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 11 suspected internet fraudsters in the state,” the EFCC disclosed. “They were arrested in the Mahuta and Barnawa areas of the state capital following credible information that linked them to fraudulent internet activities.”
A preliminary inventory of items recovered from the suspects during the operation includes a black Mercedes Benz C300, 14 mobile phones, two laptop computers, an iPad, two mifi devices, one JBL speaker, and one Zealot speaker. The EFCC also confirmed that the suspects will face prosecution upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
The latest arrest adds to a growing list of cybercrime-related crackdowns by the EFCC across Nigeria, as the agency continues its nationwide efforts to combat internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.” The EFCC has intensified its operations in recent years in response to public outcry and international concern over the increasing involvement of Nigerian youths in online scams.
Under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, offences such as identity theft, phishing, and financial fraud attract serious penalties, including imprisonment and asset forfeiture. The Commission has repeatedly called for collective societal responsibility in curbing the menace, encouraging citizens to report suspicious activities in their communities.
