Governor Dapo Abiodun has revealed that Ogun state has been ranked highest among the states with activities of internet fraudsters commonly known as “yahoo boys” in Nigeria.
Abiodun made the statement in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta during the launch of the state joint security outfit, code-named OP-MESA on Friday.
“Ogun State tops the list of Yahoo Yahoo boys,” he said.
The Ogun governor lamented that Yahoo boys recently held an award ceremony in Abeokuta, the state capital, where prizes were given to “best hacker and fraudsters.”
According to him, he has told the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, 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 said 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.
Abiodun also declared war on the resurgence of kidnapping, saying they have no place in the state.
He said; “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.”
While speaking on the essence of OP-MESA, Abiodun said it was established to fight criminals across the state. He assured the people that members of the outfit would be selected to ensure they have the right discipline as well as ensure that they are committed to their assignment.
The governor further said 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.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
