The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Adieu, Adebanjo, Clark

    Adieu, Adebanjo, Clark

    Sir: The deaths in quick succession of two uncommon, patriotic and courageous Nigerians, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Edwin Clark respectively in the last two weeks speak volumes about the significance of lives dedicated to courage and convictions in our collective consciousness.

    These two distinguished Nigerians knew nothing about fear and raised their strong voices against oppression and in favour of justice and people’s emancipation. The departed individual institutional figures were feared and dreaded in the camp of oppressors even if they never carried guns or any other weapons of mass destruction. The weapons they deployed were their strong voices and the power of robust intellect and pen deployed in constructive engagement of core issues of governance.

    And so when very recently they passed on, the world took notice and mourned.

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    Many applauded lives of courage and convictions. Significantly, both believed in our shared humanity as a people. Both utilized their ethnic platforms to champion people’s liberation and were prepared to embrace elements from other ethnic tendencies in favour of a united Nigeria. And they fought and embraced the struggles until their very end.

    Pa Adebanjo and Pa Clark kept faith with the struggle throughout. Not once did they waver; not once did they abandon the struggle in favour of filthy lucre. Both were deservedly adjudged elder statesmen and commanded the respect of Nigerians. They were consistently committed to the rescue of the project Nigeria.

    History will be kind to them and document their struggles for a great, united and prosperous Nigeria. Expectedly since their exits, tributes have been pouring as Nigerians sang their praises to high heavens. And so by the exits of Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Pa Edwin Clark, it can be said in their favour that “Life levels all men; Death reveals the Eminent”.

    •Farewell worthy patriots.

    Dr Wahab Shittu SAN,Lagos.

  • Rethinking our agro-economic policies

    Rethinking our agro-economic policies

    • By Zayyad I. Muhammad

    Sir: I have always been an advocate of the idea that our economists and policymakers must see things as they truly are, not merely as they ought to be. Nigeria’s economy is predominantly informal and agrarian, which is why textbook economic laws and theories often fail or struggle to produce the expected results in our context. Policies that work seamlessly in structured economies may not necessarily be effective in Nigeria without proper adaptation to local realities.

    For example, during a glaring food crisis, Nigeria resorted to importing foodstuffs from abroad while our farmers were actively cultivating their crops. By the time the imported food arrived, our farmers had completed their harvest. As a result, food prices plummeted, leaving local farmers unable to sell their produce at profitable rates. These farmers, who had already invested heavily in production, were forced to sell at a loss. In the long run, once the imported food is depleted, many of these farmers—having suffered financial setbacks—will lack the capital to reinvest in the next planting season. This, in turn, will trigger yet another food crisis, creating a vicious cycle of dependency and economic instability.

    To break this cycle, our policies must be both systematic and systemic, addressing the root causes of our agricultural and economic challenges rather than merely applying short-term fixes. A well-structured approach should prioritize the protection and empowerment of local farmers while ensuring food security for the nation. This begins with strategic interventions such as providing timely subsidies, offering low-interest loans, and ensuring farmers have access to modern farming techniques and improved seedlings.

    Additionally, investing in storage and distribution infrastructure is crucial. Too often, post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage facilities and poor transportation networks prevent farmers from maximizing their yields, leading to food shortages despite abundant production.

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    Furthermore, policies must balance food imports with domestic production rather than undermining local efforts. Government interventions should be designed to support local agricultural productivity, ensuring that imported goods complement rather than replace home-grown produce. A well-regulated import policy that considers market conditions and harvest cycles will prevent situations where foreign food floods the market at the wrong time, pushing local farmers into financial distress.

    Beyond this, we need to foster a business-friendly agricultural environment by encouraging private-sector investment, developing agro-processing industries, and facilitating direct market access for farmers. When farmers are assured of profitability, they will be more willing to reinvest in their farms, increasing production and reducing our reliance on external food supplies.

    Only through such a holistic and forward-thinking approach can we break the cycle of food crises and build a truly self-sufficient economy.

    •Zayyad I. Muhammad,

     Abuja.

  • El-Rufai: From governor to political blogger

    El-Rufai: From governor to political blogger

    • By Ammar M. Rajab

    Sir: Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, once stood as a powerful force in Nigerian politics, known for his brash rhetoric and authoritarian style. From 2015 to 2023, he ruled Kaduna with an iron grip, silencing opposition, deepening ethnic and religious divides, and implementing policies that many deemed inhumane. After being denied ministerial position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, El-Rufai has reinvented himself as a political blogger—an ironic twist for a man who once crushed dissent with ruthless efficiency.

    El-Rufai’s fall from grace was swift. Initially nominated as a minister in Tinubu’s cabinet, his confirmation was stalled by the Senate over alleged security concerns. For someone who once saw himself as a kingmaker in Nigerian politics, this rejection was a bitter pill to swallow. Stripped of formal power, El-Rufai has turned to online spaces, using social media and public discourse to critique the very system he once dominated. His new role as a political commentator reveals an uncomfortable truth: a man who once silenced opposition now seeks to be heard.

    El-Rufai’s tenure as Kaduna governor was marked by heavy-handed policies that disproportionately targeted groups and individuals who opposed his rule. One of his most infamous acts was his brutal suppression of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky. In December 2015, hundreds of Islamic movement activists were massacred in Zaria by the military. Rather than seeking justice, El-Rufai went a step further by banning the movement, and demolishing its properties.

    Southern Kaduna, a region predominantly populated by ethnic and religious minorities, also suffered immensely under his watch. Communities faced relentless attacks from armed militias, with thousands killed and many more displaced. Instead of acting decisively to protect lives, El-Rufai dismissed the crisis with inflammatory remarks and policies that further alienated the victims. His controversial statement that he had “paid off Fulani herdsmen” to prevent reprisals was met with outrage, as violence in the region continued unchecked.

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    El-Rufai’s intolerance extended beyond ethnic and religious groups to activists, journalists, and politicians who dared to challenge his authority. A notable case was that of Kaduna-based journalist and activist Luka Binniyat, who was arrested and jailed for exposing attacks on Southern Kaduna communities. His crime? Writing an article that criticised the government’s handling of the security crisis.

    Similarly, former federal lawmaker Shehu Sani, once an ally of El-Rufai, became one of his fiercest critics and suffered relentless persecution. Sani accused El-Rufai of using state resources to harass and intimidate opposition figures, ensuring that only his loyalists could thrive in Kaduna politics. Many other activists, students, and union leaders faced arbitrary arrests and threats simply for expressing dissenting views.

    Now that he is out of power, El-Rufai has rebranded himself as an online commentator, offering political insights and critiques. But this sudden shift raises an important question: Is he truly committed to democratic ideals, or is he simply a bitter politician struggling to stay relevant? His online presence, marked by subtle attacks on the Tinubu administration, suggests the latter.

    El-Rufai’s new role as a blogger is ironic, given his history of suppressing free speech. While he once used state power to silence critics, he now finds himself in the position of an outsider trying to shape the political narrative from the side-lines. His reinvention exposes the hypocrisy of Nigerian politics, where yesterday’s oppressor can suddenly claim to be today’s champion of democracy.

    Nasir El-Rufai’s transition from a feared governor to an online political commentator is a classic case of political karma. While he once crushed opposition with impunity, today he struggles to find relevance outside the corridors of power. If El-Rufai truly seeks to be taken seriously in his new role, he must first acknowledge the injustices of his past. Until then, his blogging remains a desperate attempt to stay politically relevant in a country that has not forgotten his legacy of repression.

    •Ammar M. Rajab,

    <ammarmuhammad1993@gmail.com

  • Peter Obi and the call to patriotic service

    Peter Obi and the call to patriotic service

    Sir: Peter Obi has emerged as a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, championing economic reforms, good governance, and the eradication of poverty and hunger. His advocacy for fiscal discipline and pragmatic solutions resonates with millions of Nigerians who long for a better future. However, leadership is not confined to occupying the highest office in the land. True patriotism demands the willingness to serve at any level, whenever and wherever the opportunity arises.

    In a nation like Nigeria, facing pressing socio-economic challenges, every capable individual must actively participate in governance, irrespective of titles or positions. Peter Obi’s wealth of experience as a former governor of Anambra State and a businessman positions him as a key resource for driving national development. I encourage Peter Obi to transcend the pursuit of the presidency and embrace a broader role in shaping Nigeria’s future.

    The history of global governance is replete with examples of individuals who significantly impacted their nations without becoming heads of state. In the United States, figures like Alexander Hamilton, who served as Treasury Secretary, played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s economic framework. In South Africa, anti-apartheid activist Desmond Tutu worked tirelessly outside government to foster peace and reconciliation. In our own dear country, the name Gani Fawehinmi stands tall for his selfless advocacy.

    Peter Obi can adopt a similar approach by collaborating with the current administration or joining forces with other patriotic Nigerians in addressing the current country’s challenges. Whether through advisory roles, public policy advocacy, or economic strategy development, his contributions can still reverberate across Nigeria. The economy of the Southeast loses over N100billion weekly due to protracted sit-at-home activities linked to the incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Actions geared towards his release are worth two presidents to Ndigbo and her economy.

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    As a proponent of fiscal discipline, Obi could work with relevant ministries and agencies to design policies that curtail waste and enhance revenue generation. His expertise in cutting governance costs and boosting internally generated revenue could provide the government with actionable strategies.

    By joining government programs, he can influence educational reforms that equip Nigerian youths with skills needed for the modern economy.

    Obi could serve as a bridge between the government and opposition, advocating for transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in governance. His active participation in reforming public institutions would align with his vision of a more efficient Nigeria. The beneficiary will not be President Tinubu, but Nigeria and Nigerians.

    Leadership is not about personal ambition but about selfless service to the people. As a patriot, Obi must recognise that the presidency is only one avenue to make a difference. Joining hands with the government, even in an informal capacity, would demonstrate his commitment to Nigeria’s progress.

    By stepping into the arena of collaboration, Obi would set an example for other opposition figures, showing that nation-building transcends political rivalry. This act of statesmanship would resonate with Nigerians and elevate his legacy as a leader who prioritizes his country and the people above personal ambition.

    Nigeria stands at a critical juncture where collective efforts are required to overcome its challenges. Now is the time for Peter Obi to heed the patriot’s call and demonstrate that leadership is defined by action, not position. True greatness lies in the ability to serve, inspire, and transform, regardless of the platform.

    •Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba,

    Lagos.

  • Afenifere without Ayo Adebanjo

    Afenifere without Ayo Adebanjo

    Sir: The sudden death of Pa Ayo Adebanjo at 96 has further dimmed the hope of recovery of Afenifere, an apex Yoruba socio-cultural organization now gasping for breath. Pa Adebanjo, a chieftain and a generalissimo of the apex organization had been at loggerhead with the apex leadership of the association and all efforts to douse the ember of irreconcilable differences proved futile.

    The debacle of Afenifere ballooned when Adebanjo was dropped as deputy leader and given the near incapacitation of Pa Reuben Fasronranti to perform the duty of the office of the leader, Afenifere went comatose.

    Today, the Yoruba race is without a torchbearer, as all we have are cacophony of voices from splinter socio-cultural groups vouchsafing for the ethnic group.

    The sudden death of Adebanjo has further dimmed the hope of recovery of Afenifere, and this has also further jeopardized the place of the Yorubas among the other socio-cultural organizations in the country.

    With the exit of Pa Ayo Adebanjo at 96, Afenifere, a once foremost Yoruba socio-cultural organization and the entire Yoruba race of the Southwest geo-political zone, has suffered an irreparable loss.

    Pa Adebanjo died an unfulfilled man because the Afenifere he served right from its inception in the fifties, lost its leadership steam as the voice of the Yoruba race. Former American President, Abraham Lincoln once said that he did the little he could, the very best for mankind and even if 10 angels come thereafter to state otherwise, is worth nothing.

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    In terms of his thoughts, his ideas and his interpersonal relationships, late Adebanjo made incredible and phenomenal contributions to the development of the country especially since the advent of the civil rule in 1999.

    Adebanjo’s death offers Nigeria an uncommon opportunity for serious introspection beyond the banal acts of political braggadocio by some uncouth political leaders who are dyed in the wool of ethnic chauvinism and tribal pretentiousness.

    In the 70s, the renowned dramatist and singer, Hubert Ogunde sang – “Yoruba ronu”. What is happening in Afenifere and other irreverent Yoruba socio-cultural organizations are reminiscences of the 70s.

    The death of Afenifere will surely leave the race leaderless in an interdependent and heterogeneous socio-political, tribal and cultural nation like Nigeria. The founding of Afenifere in the 50s was to fill a leadership vacuum in Yorubaland, now the organization is torturing and gasping for survival breath.

    In the word of the great and renowned philosopher Frantz Fanon, “evil triumph when honest people fold their arms”.

    •Sunday Olagunju,Ibadan, Oyo State.

  • Bankrolling bloodlust

    Bankrolling bloodlust

    Sir: As Nigeria has fought and assortment of well-drilled and well-oiled non-state actors, a common question on the lips of many Nigerians has been who is doing the drilling and the oiling?

    Boko Haram, the umbrella terrorist organization fighting Nigeria for more than 10 years now started as a sore in Maiduguri the Borno State Capital. This was before it exploded into a full case of hives. Residents and indigenes of Borno State over the past 20 years have borne witness to the chilling cruelty of the group from its earliest days to its explosion on the world stage as a notorious terrorist group, the infamous perpetrators of the abduction of the Chibok and Dapchi school girls.

    As senator, Mohammed Ali Ndume has represented the good people of Borno South senatorial district since 2011. As legislator, he has been at the forefront of aggregating the voices of his people who have suffered unimaginable atrocities at the hands of Boko Haram.

    Recently, he made some interesting comments on the funding of Boko Haram. Drawing from the alarm raised by US congressman Scott Perry, that the United States International Development Agency (USAID) had sunk a whooping sum of $697 million in U.S. aid into terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda, Ndume has called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate the claims.

    The question about who funds Boko Haram and other terrorist groups within the country has remained a burning one since Boko Haram expanded its operations in 2009. This question has never been satisfactorily answered. What is most troubling is that the government has shown a rather curious unwillingness to dig out the answer about who sponsors Boko Haram and how best to cut off their lifelines.

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    As terrorism has maintained a deadly grip on the North, it has become clearer than day that its operations are being well funded. Over the years, the terrorists destabilizing Nigeria have operated in such a way and manner as to leave no doubt that they are well funded. But very little has been done to disrupt their network because rather than strike the root, the government has preferred to clip the branches of terrorism  from time to time. The  jarring failings of this approach is clear from the number of trophies terrorists have continued to take from Nigeria despite resolute efforts to root them out.

    Some non-governmental organizations in Nigeria have also been accused of sponsoring terrorism. The truth remains that unless those who sponsor terrorism in the country are identified and rooted out, terrorism will continue to thrive. As long as terrorists have sources to fuel their bloodlust, they will continue in their business of dealing death and destruction.

    The truest of sovereignty for any country lies in its ability to control who comes in and who goes out of the country, and what comes in and what goes out. It is in this wise that Nigeria must act. Corruption and terrorism have thrived in the country because there is very little transparency and control over how money comes or goes out and how it circulates. It is about demanding accountability and assurances that Nigerians will be safe in their country regardless of what or who comes in.

    •Kene Obiezu,keneobiezu@gmail.com

  • Tackling trans-border drug trafficking

    Tackling trans-border drug trafficking

    Sir: As a concerned citizen, I am deeply troubled by the menace of illicit drugs in our country and the grave threat they pose to the well-being of Nigerians. In my reflections on possible solutions, one crucial measure stands out—securing our borders. Strengthening Nigeria’s border security is a fundamental step toward curbing the influx of illicit drugs and disrupting the operations of drug traffickers. The recent arrest of members of a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) underscores the pressing need for immediate action in this regard.

    It is no secret that trans-border drug trafficking has become one of the most significant national and regional security concerns in Nigeria. Our country, due to its geographic location and proximity to neighbouring countries, has unfortunately become both a transit hub and a destination for illicit drug activities. Nigeria’s borders, which stretch across more than 5,000 kilometres and share borders with Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, make it an attractive route for drug traffickers looking to move illicit substances across the region with relative ease. Furthermore, Nigeria’s vast coastline and multiple seaports offer additional points of entry for drug cartels to smuggle narcotics into the country.

    A recent press release from the NDLEA detailed a series of significant drug busts on January 27, highlighting the critical role that effective border control plays in curbing drug trafficking. In an intelligence-led operation, NDLEA operatives arrested four members of a trans-border trafficking syndicate who were attempting to smuggle multi-million-naira worth of tramadol pills concealed within the bumpers and false bottoms of Sienna buses heading toward Nigeria’s border towns. This operation serves as a clear indication of the extent to which drug traffickers exploit weak points in our border security system to move illicit substances into the country.

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    In addition to these busts, the NDLEA successfully thwarted the efforts of two drug kingpins attempting to smuggle heroin into Nigeria through both the Port Harcourt International Airport and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). One of the suspects was found to be using dual identities, including a Nigerian passport and a Sierra Leonean passport under a different name, illustrates the lengths to which these criminals go to exploit weaknesses in our border management systems. These arrests highlight not only the alarming sophistication of drug trafficking operations but also the vulnerabilities in our border control infrastructure.

    While the task of securing Nigeria’s extensive borders is undeniably challenging, especially with the diverse geographical landscape and porous nature of some border regions, it is imperative that the government takes stronger and more decisive action to close these gaps. Drug traffickers are constantly on the lookout for vulnerabilities in border security, and it is the responsibility of the Nigerian government to ensure that such weaknesses are addressed.

    At present, one of the most glaring issues is the lack of comprehensive infrastructure at many of our border areas. Inadequate fencing, poor surveillance systems, and insufficient manpower make it extremely difficult to monitor movements along the borders effectively.

    Additionally, Nigeria’s border security agencies are often hampered by outdated equipment, which limits their ability to detect contrabands. The absence of modern surveillance technology further compounds the challenge of securing our borders.

    Despite these challenges, we must acknowledge the commendable efforts of the NDLEA and other security agencies in tackling drug trafficking. Their relentless work, especially in recent times, has led to the interception of multi-billion-naira drug shipments at major airports, seaports, and border crossings. The Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, the Apapa Seaport, and the Tin Can Island Port have become key targets for crackdowns, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of drugs, including cocaine, heroin, cannabis, methamphetamine, and tramadol. These operations have not only led to the arrest of key cartel members but have also disrupted the networks behind the drug trade in Nigeria.

    Nevertheless, these efforts, while laudable, must be complemented by a more comprehensive approach to border security. To truly make a significant impact in the fight against drug trafficking, Nigeria must invest in advanced surveillance technologies, such as drones, motion sensors, and facial recognition systems, to monitor border activities effectively. Furthermore, enhanced collaboration between border security agencies—including customs, immigration, the NDLEA, and the police—is essential for a coordinated response to this pressing issue.

    Nigeria cannot afford to allow the porousness of its borders to continue to serve as a gateway for drug traffickers. It is high time that the government invests in modernizing its border security infrastructure and adopts a more proactive approach in the fight against drug trafficking. Only through these efforts can we protect the future of our youth and ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.

    •Damola Tosin,Lokoja, Kogi State.

  • UNIZIK student: Cracking a nut with sledge hammer?

    UNIZIK student: Cracking a nut with sledge hammer?

    Sir: While the world was in the euphoria of St. Valentine’s Day, news came out that Goddy-Mbakwe Chimamaka Precious, the student of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, seen in a now-viral video physically assaulting a lecturer of the institution, Dr Chukwudi Okoye, had been expelled by the school authorities.

    The 300-level student was handed down the expulsion letter dated February 13. The letter ordered her to vacate the institution’s premises with immediate effect. Some commentators see the expulsion as a bold disciplinary measure to restore discipline, respect, and ethical standards in the university; others considered it as too severe likening it to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. I tend to agree with the latter.

    Whereas the University Student Disciplinary Committee found the female student’s actions to be a gross violation of the institution’s regulations, and recommended her immediate expulsion, the public is yet to know whether any actions were also taken against the lecturer, who has already been adjudged by many to have displayed rare level of maturity and civility in the face of public humiliation orchestrated by the student.

    No doubt, the rapidly growing indiscipline and moral decay among the young individuals pose a great threat to our socio-cultural values. And it is really worrisome that respect for elders are also nosediving in our academic institutions. While Precious’s action is condemned in totality, it also brings to the fore the failure of parents to instil the social and moral values while bringing up their wards. So it is the broader societal issues like respect for authority, due process, and ethical behaviour.

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    No doubt, the young lady was totally wrong and her actions are condemnable. But, expelling her from the school would appear an overkill for the offence committed. Even in law, those regarded as first offenders are often treated more leniently in court or during plea negotiations. As a university that is duty-bound to train students both in learning and character, UNIZIK management should have adopted better corrective actions to discipline the young lady. A suspension from the school for a specified period should have been considered to uphold and reinforce discipline and ethical conducts in the institution.

    While the expulsion seeks to send a strong message that incident of such nature will not be tolerated and condoned in the institution, the university cannot afford to overlook its reformative duties whenever students breach its laws.

    •Damilare Adeleye,Ogun State. 

  • Speedy justice for kidnappers

    Speedy justice for kidnappers

    Sir: Today, two evils are rampant in the country, viz: banditry and kidnapping.

    While banditry is ageless, kidnapping is a new evil festooned by societal escalating plights and growing societal decadence.

    Whereas in the past many bandits had come out openly to renounce banditry and were given state pardon and reinvigorated back into the society, till date nobody has come to renounce kidnapping or show themselves as kidnappers.

    Kidnapping has assumed a notorious dimension and since nobody or group of persons have been help culpable, this societal anomie has been on ascendancy. Homogous sum of money have been paid as ransom to secure the freedom of very important personalities trapped in the kidnappers den, while lots of ordinary victims were either killed or abandoned to die.

    Kidnapping unlike banditry should not be a criminal war that Nigeria can afford to lose on the altar of judicial in expediency. Where are those arrested as kidnappers and what sort of punishments have been meted to them to serve as a deterrent to likely would be kidnappers?

    In the 70s, armed robbery took the military at the jugular and many armed robbers were caught and publicly executed and there was a drastic decline. Kidnappers too must be seen in the mould of armed robbers who must also be treated as societal misfits.

    The idea that justice delayed is not justice denial should not apply to kidnappers and bandits who having killed or brutalized their victims also enjoy delayed justice. Delayed justice also constitutes part of the reasons for the unresolved congestions in most of the correctional centres in the country.

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    In the 70s, the military established special courts to deal with cases of armed robbery for prompt disposal. Such special courts may also be necessary as an antidote for speedy dispensation of justice of cases of kidnappers and bandits.

    More awareness also need to be created to showcase the operational modes of kidnappers so that, personalities who oftentimes are the target of these kidnappers can take note of their operational tactics.

    A cursory look at the age range of kidnappers shows that they are young people who probably have kingpins who lured them on basis of payment. Yet except uninformed parents who may be unaware of the series of advantages the government has provided for the education of the youths, there should no longer the feigning of ignorance by some youths taking to kidnapping on trite excuse of lack of opportunity for educational advancement.

    Given the issues of loans to students engineered by this government, there is the urgency for the Ministry of Information through its National Orientation Agency (NOA) to embark on series of campaigns aimed at sensitizing the society to seize the opportunity provided by the government to send their children or wards to school.

    No matter what, good education has the tendency for redefining rustic and bucolic mind-sets. The war on kidnapping is wagging too long and this shouldn’t be if culprits are disposed off rapidly through speedy of justice.

    •Sunday Olagunju,Ibadan, Oyo State.

  • EFCC, Yahoo-yahoo boys and rising ritual killings

    EFCC, Yahoo-yahoo boys and rising ritual killings

    Sir: There is a troubling trend: internet fraudsters popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo boys” are on the prowl – and menacingly so. As if the crime of defrauding people of their hard-earned money under false pretense is not already too much, their greed and insatiable quest for ostentatious lifestyle have pushed them into other dangerous and violent crimes.

    Unsuspecting young ladies are being hoodwinked and used for money rituals; just as these bands of criminals get involved in kidnapping, banditry and arms trafficking. For them, it is money by all means and any means whatsoever. No scruples!

    This startling revelation was recently made by no less a personality than the executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, who stated that the country has lost over $500m in one year due to internet fraud.

    He, however, noted that the activities of internet fraudsters had evolved beyond online scams, warning that they were now involved in more dangerous crimes, such as kidnapping, ritual killings, banditry and arms trafficking.

    Last year alone, EFCC got over 11,000 petitions, investigated close to 9,000, and prosecuted nearly 5,000 cases despite the limited manpower of the agency. Even the criminals are becoming more daring and their politically exposed “colleagues” are not relenting in attacking the EFCC. So, for Olukoyede and his team, it is battle from all fronts, including simulated media ‘war’.

    Recently, people have criticised the EFCC for going after “Yahoo Yahoo boys”, but Olukoyede said such criticisms are coming from the perpetrators, their beneficiaries and few genuine people who do not understand the severity of the trending phase of Yahoo Yahoo crime.

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    “It is no longer just about scamming people. They are now into kidnapping, banditry, and ritual killings. Some of our investigations have uncovered horrifying details, including cases where young female victims were used for rituals. If we don’t act decisively, in the next 10 years or so, we may not have a generation we can confidently hand over this country to,” Olukoyede said.

    The EFCC helmsman stressed the need for the commission to be above board like Caesar’s wife. This, he said, accounted for EFCC’s commitment to internal cleansing; a policy that saw to the sacking of 27 commission staff members early this year over corruption allegations.

    The EFCC chairman urged the media to play a more active role in shaping public perception of the commission’s work, advocating investigative journalism that highlights both corruption and the agency’s sterling achievements.

    “The media has always been a key player in the anti-corruption fight. In the early 2000s, before the EFCC was established, it was journalists who exposed many financial crimes. We need to return to that era where the media and law enforcement work together to protect the country,” the anti-corruption czar said.

    The nefarious activities of the “Yahoo Yahoo Boys” are inimical to the progress and development of this nation. Lives of youths – the most productive segment of the nation’s population – are cut short in their prime, apart from the international opprobrium visited on Nigerians abroad, where every carrier of the green passport is assumed to be a fraudster.

    Perhaps, it is time to advocate more severe punishments, like life imprisonment, for anyone involved in internet fraud and other crimes like kidnapping, banditry, and ritual killings. It is not enough to confiscate the proceeds of crime and sentence them to years of imprisonment. Or, is it not said that desperate times call for desperate measures?

    •Tunde Nasiru,Journalists Against Corruption (JAC), Abuja.