EFCC: A Threat To Young Successful Nigerians

Ayu Esuku | Fountain Newsbreaker NG

In response to the parade of  13 suspected internet fraudsters by the   operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Port Harcourt on Thursday 28 July 2022, the Federal agency, have been accused of raiding  homes of innocent Nigerians and carting away private properties of residents suspected to be involved in cyber crimes.

The raid was done in collaboration with the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigerian Police on July 21 2022 at Alakahia community, which is a host community for most students of the University of Port Harcourt who live outside the school campus and the indigenes of the community. 

Speaking with some residents who pleaded  anonymousity,confirmed to Fountain Newsbreakers that this was not the first invasion, as the officers come at intervals to arrest youths especially males sighted around the vicinity  between the ages of 15 to 35 years.

Another source said , "I am afraid to walk on the streets, because the EFCC officers forcefully arrest any youth that is using a smart phone, and tell you to open your bank statement for them to see,that is if they don't see anything they consider incriminating on your phone or laptop.We are not all Yahoo boys,some of us are hustling legally and God is blessing us, why punish us for making it?'.

Furthermore , some business owners in the area revealed that officers of the EFCC and other affiliate security agencies not only victimize but intimate and harass young and innocent Port Harcourt residents seen driving flashy cars or using high quality phones illegally and take them into custody  without proper investigations.

Consequently the student community at Alakahia,Choba Port Harcourt are calling on the Federal Government to call the EFCC to order and put an end to the constant abuse of human rights and victimization by the security agencies on already traumatized Nigerian youths.

Photo credit: Etor  Shadrack