By Emmanuel Nduka
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has lamented that his state has been ranked highest among those with activities of internet fraudsters popularly known as “yahoo boys” in Nigeria.
The governor made the revelation on Friday at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta during the launch of the state’s joint security outfit, code-named OP-MESA.
Abiodun lamented that the internet fraudsters recently held an award ceremony in Abeokuta where prizes were given to “best hacker and fraudsters.”
The governor however said he has reported the matter to Adulrasheed Bawa, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informing him that activities of the “yahoo boys” are rampant in Ogun because the state plays host to the highest number of higher institutions in the country, a position, he said the EFCC Chairman agreed to.
He added that his government was prepared to set up a commission to fight financial crimes in the state, with a view to flushing internet fraudsters from the state.
“Let me reiterate that we will make Ogun State inhabitable for all criminals.
“The other day I was in a meeting in Abuja and in attendance was the Chairman of EFCC. And sadly he said to me, ‘Ogun State tops the list of Yahoo Yahoo boys.’ Sadly.
“But I said to him that I am not surprised because Ogun State is the education capital of this country and you would find such yahoo yahoo boys around educational institutions, and he agreed with me.
“He went ahead and said to me that ‘the other day, Yahoo Yahoo boys had an award ceremony in Abeokuta, an award ceremony where they were awarding prizes to the best hacker, the best fraudster.’ Of course, with a sting operation at that award ceremony, some of them were arrested,” the governor said.
Speaking on the essence of OP-MESA, Abiodun said it was established to fight criminals across the state, adding that the launching of the outfit with fifteen vehicles, two armoured personnel carriers and communication equipment would be done on a quarterly basis until the outfit reaches its desired number.
