EFCC
By Olayiwola Mercy
A disturbing case has rocked Nigeria, where a young man, allegedly a Yahoo-boy, buried his mother alive for a money ritual. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed that the suspect had joined a group of internet fraudsters who took him to ritualists promising supernatural powers to acquire wealth. One of the conditions given by the ritualists was for him to bury his mother alive.
The EFCC’s Acting Zonal Director, Effa Imo Okim, explained that the suspect struck his mother with a heavy object, tied her up, and buried her in a grave he had dug beforehand. This horrific act was reportedly done to fulfill the ritual requirements. Okim warned that the actions of internet fraudsters have graduated from online fraud to violent crimes, with some targeting their parents to make money as directed by ritualists.
The EFCC is sounding the alarm on the rising trend of internet fraudsters turning to ritual killings, often targeting family members. Okim advised parents to closely monitor their children’s behavior and associations, as many youths are being recruited into these criminal networks. “These boys have become ritualists, making life difficult for peace-loving people. Our resolve to restore sanity requires confronting this syndicate and ending the threat,” he said.
The incident has sparked concern about the growing involvement of young people in cybercrime and ritual killings. Okim noted that the EFCC is actively working to curb the violent and criminal activities of internet fraudsters and their ritualist accomplices. “The activities of the Yahoo boys are getting out of hand, and we are making every effort to reverse the trend,” he added .
The EFCC emphasized that its focus on Yahoo boys doesn’t mean it’s ignoring corrupt public officials. Okim insisted that the commission is tackling all forms of economic and financial crimes, including cybercrime. The agency urged Nigerians to report any suspicious activities, as it continues to investigate and prosecute those involved in these heinous crimes.
The case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of cybercrime and the need for vigilance. As Okim put it, “Parents must observe cautiously the behaviour and activities of their children. This is necessary to prevent them from falling into the hands of criminals and ritualists.
