EFCC reveals shocking case of Yahoo boy buried mother for ritual wealth, warning of rising violent crimes among internet fraudsters

MAKURDI – The Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Directorate, ACE 1 Effa Imo Okim, has disclosed a shocking case in which an internet fraudster, popularly known as a Yahoo boy, buried his mother alive to gain wealth.

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Okim revealed the disturbing details during a visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council. He said the boy joined a syndicate of internet fraudsters who introduced him to ritualists promising supernatural powers for financial gain.

“One of the conditions the ritualists gave to him was to bury his mother alive,” Okim said. According to the EFCC official, the boy carried out the act during a holiday visit, taking advantage of his mother’s trust to strike her with a heavy object, tie her, and bury her in accordance with ritual requirements.

Okim warned that the crimes associated with internet fraud have escalated beyond online scams, with some perpetrators now committing violent acts, including harming family members, under ritualist instructions.

“Parents must observe cautiously the behaviour and activities of their children. This is necessary to prevent them from falling into the hands of criminals and ritualists,” he added.

Addressing concerns that the EFCC is disproportionately targeting Yahoo boys over corrupt public officials, Okim dismissed the notion, stressing that the focus on internet fraudsters does not equate to ignoring corruption.

“These boys have become ritualists, making life difficult for peace-loving people. Our resolve to restore sanity requires confronting this syndicate and ending the threat,” he said.

The EFCC is actively working to curb the violent and criminal activities of internet fraudsters and their ritualist accomplices, Okim emphasised.