The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has defended the agency’s use of sting operations in tackling cybercrime, insisting that the approach is necessary to preserve evidence and ensure due process.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Olukoyede said cybercrime investigations differ significantly from probes involving politically exposed persons.
“We carry out our sting operations on Yahoo boys so we don’t lose evidence and also ensure we follow the due process of the law,” the EFCC chairman said.
“When you are investigating cybercrime, you don’t send invitations to people the way you send them to politically exposed people, because the dynamics are different.”
However, the comments sparked a wave of backlash on social media, with many Nigerians accusing the EFCC of unprofessional conduct, selective enforcement, and focusing on internet fraudsters while allegedly neglecting high-profile political corruption cases.
Several users criticised the manner of arrests, particularly night raids on homes and hotels. One user, @ehmogywillbeat, wrote: “What rubbish am I listening to? Because you don’t want to lose evidence, you start breaking into people’s houses unannounced.”
Another, @Aro_tobs, added: “They bust people’s homes in the middle of the night… Is this how to carry out a legit operation?? In a country where kidnapping and Islamist terrorists are on the loose, giving residents severe trauma.”
Others questioned whether investigations are carried out before arrests. @luukrutledge said: “How is it sane to raid a whole hotel, all the occupants? EFCC raid a whole compound and flats of over 12 tenants and arrests all in the name of looking for Yahoo boys. Meaning they don’t do an investigation beforean arrest.”
A recurring theme in the reactions was the perception that the EFCC prioritises cybercrime suspects over politically powerful figures accused of large-scale corruption. @Thingummy_Fire commented: “Chasing after yahoo boys is just a waste of time and a convenient excuse to look away from the real thieves in govt and their friends.”
Similarly, @JeremiahTakana asked: “If evidence is what you need to arrest a criminal, what kind do you not have against corrupt politicians such as Yahaya Bello and his colleagues?”
Some users also criticised the interview itself, accusing the host of failing to ask probing questions. @pisces_Feb27th wrote: “This Seun guy is dull… he’s not asking the right questions. I swear I have millions of questions in my head that I think he should be asking.”
Despite the criticism, a minority defended the EFCC’s stance. @Dannymasterp noted: “You can’t arrest a yahoo boy by giving them notifications or inviting them — you’ll probably lose your evidence if your operations are not properly carried out.”
The debate highlights growing public scrutiny of the EFCC’s methods and priorities, with many Nigerians calling for greater professionalism, respect for citizens’ rights, and a more balanced approach to tackling both cybercrime and alleged high-level political corruption.
