The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has cautioned young Nigerian women against romantic involvement with internet fraudsters and sextortionists.
Olukoyede issued the warning in Abuja during an event organized by the African Girl Guide (AGG) to commemorate the International Girl-Child Day, themed “Invest in her, Empower her and Let her Lead.”
Represented by the Head of the EFCC’s Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Aisha Muhammed, the anti-graft chairman decried the rising wave of sextortion and cybercrime vulnerabilities among youths.
“Girls need to be careful about relationships and not fall into the antics of criminals and sextortionists. Integrity in a relationship will safeguard you against such villains,” Olukoyede stated.
“A girl with integrity will always outlast a girl with only make-up. Your integrity is your crown. Do not sell it cheap.”
The EFCC boss warned that criminal networks frequently exploit vulnerable moments to manipulate victims into complicity, including serving as account mules or participating in online blackmail.
“If you engage in cybercrime; if you become an account mule for Yahoo boys; if you blackmail people online, you are not just committing a crime; you are destroying Nigeria’s image, the same Nigeria you will need for a lot of things,” he said.
He urged young girls to cultivate legal means of livelihood by acquiring vocational and technical skills such as coding, tailoring, baking, and content creation, while emphasizing prudent financial habits and digital responsibility.
Olukoyede added that the commission has established Integrity Clubs and Zero Tolerance Clubs across schools nationwide to foster ethical values among students.
