The Lagos State Police Command has identified and sealed off an unlawful facility used for training individuals in internet fraud, known as a “Yahoo School,” in the Iju area of Lagos.
The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, confirming the arrest of four principal suspects and six trainees.
According to PUNCH Metro among those apprehended was a 12-year-old boy, Minachi Udochukwu, raising concerns about the involvement of minors in cybercrime activities.
Hundeyin stated that initial investigations showed the suspects lured their trainees from Anambra State, engaged them in internet fraud, and seized their proceeds.
“During the successful operations, the police detectives arrested four Yahoo experts who were running the notorious school, namely Chibuike Ihejika, 23; Stanley Ihejika, 22; Obiora Oyediba, 26; and Emmanuel Oyedibe, 25.
“The other six suspects are their criminal trainees, all of whom were undergoing training in cybercrime and fraud: Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom, 20; Okeke Kwufrochikwu, 26; Uchenna Obeji, 26; Minachi Udochukwu, 12; and Chinedu Ukachukwu, 23.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspects of the facility recruited their trainees from Anambra State, engaged them to commit internet fraud and other related crimes.
“The proceeds from their fraudulent activities were being confiscated by the principal suspects,” the statement read in part.
Hundeyin also revealed that the underage suspect had marks of injuries allegedly inflicted on him to force him into cybercrime. He has been placed in protective custody and is receiving medical care while efforts are made to reunite him with his family.
“In line with due process of the law, the underage suspect among them, Minachi Udochukwu, 12 years old, with healing marks of injuries on his body allegedly inflicted on him by the main principal suspect to compel him into the commission of the criminal acts, is being given medical attention and kept in protective custody till his relatives are identified and reunited with him,” Hundeyin stated.
The authorities encouraged victims of the syndicate’s fraudulent operations to visit the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba to file their complaints. Additionally, it recommended that guardians and parents keep a tight eye on their wards and children to keep them from being enticed into illegal activity.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, also commends the police personnel involved in this operation for their dedication and professionalism that resulted in this success.
“The CP Jimoh assures all Lagosians that the Command remains resolute and committed to combating all forms of crimes and criminalities, including cybercrime tagged ‘yahoo,’ etc.
“He urges residents to report every suspicious activity or incident to the police in their localities for prompt action,” the statement added.
The police have also urged the owner of the illegal training facility to turn himself in at the SCID, while the arrested suspects will be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
