A quiet Tuesday morning in Nasarawa Toto turned tense as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the area, rounding up 31 suspected internet fraudsters in a well-coordinated raid. The operation, which took residents by surprise, was the result of weeks of intelligence gathering linking the suspects to a web of cybercrime activities.
According to a statement released by the EFCC on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the suspects were picked up after credible tips placed them at the center of various online scams. The commission disclosed that several high-end smartphones and laptops—key tools often used in phishing, identity theft, and online fraud—were recovered during the operation.
“The arrest is part of our renewed commitment to stamp out cybercrime in Nigeria,” an EFCC official said on condition of anonymity. “We’ve seen a disturbing rise in these activities, especially among the youth, and it’s our job to step in before more damage is done.”
For many in Nasarawa Toto, the arrests were both a shock and a relief. “I always suspected something was off with the way some of these boys lived so flamboyantly without clear jobs,” said a local shop owner. “But seeing the EFCC actually come down here means they’re serious.”
The commission has assured the public that the suspects are currently in custody and will face the full weight of the law once investigations are completed. While the legal process takes its course, the EFCC is also urging young Nigerians to steer clear of cybercrime and explore legal avenues for income.
“This is not the way,” one operative emphasized. “Fraud ruins lives—not just of victims abroad, but of the youths who end up behind bars.”
