13 Suspected Internet Fraudsters Arrested In Sokoto

At least thirteen (13) alleged internet fraudsters, popularly known as ‘Yahoo boys,’ were arrested recently in Sokoto State by the State Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

An official statement on Monday from the anti-graft agency’s X handle mentioned that the arrests took place on Saturday, September 28, 2024, in the Gidan Yaro and Dandima regions of Sokoto, after receiving credible information about their supposed participation in crimes related to the internet.

“Operatives of the Sokoto Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested thirteen(13) suspected internet fraudsters in Sokoto, Sokoto State.

“They were arrested on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Gidan Yaro and Dandima areas of Sokoto based on actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences.

“All the suspects claimed to be students of Usman Danfodio University Sokoto. They will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the EFCC said.

The anti-graft agency further noted that the suspects would be charged in court after the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

Just last week, EFCC apprehended Darius Ishaku, a former governor of Taraba State, over an alleged fraud amounting to ₦27 billion.

Naija News reports that Ishaku, who concluded his tenure as governor in 2023 after eight years in office, was taken into custody from his Abuja residence during Friday’s early hours.

Daily Trust quoted sources within the anti-graft agency to have revealed that the former governor remained in the custody of the EFCC as of the time this report was filed on Friday night.

One source disclosed that a minimum of 15 charges have been brought against Ishaku, and he is expected to be arraigned in court shortly, as the evidence against him has been gathered.

“Yes, he’s in our custody right now. We have been investigating him covertly since he left as the State governor. There a lot of financial malfeasance he perpetrated,” the source told the media platform.

A different source indicated that the former Governor was apprehended due to his inability to offer adequate justifications regarding financial misconduct that occurred during his tenure.

Upon inquiry, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, verified the incident to journalists but refrained from providing additional remarks.