EFCC Rallies Journalists in Kaduna to Tackle Cybercrimes and Illegal Mining Head-On

Apr, 27 2025

EFCC Sounds the Alarm on Cybercrimes and Illegal Mining Surge in Kaduna

Kaduna is getting caught in a web of rising cybercrimes and illegal mining—and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it’s time to fight back with help from the people who shape the news. During a recent meeting at the Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Acting Zonal Director Bawa Usman Kaltungo made it clear: the battle against digital scams and illegal resource plundering needs everyone on board, especially journalists who can reach communities fast and effectively.

The EFCC points to an unsettling spike in internet fraud, with many culprits alarmingly young. Cybercriminal rings, often dubbed ‘yahoo-yahoo’ gangs, are now a staple conversation in Kaduna’s social circles. These groups lure in young people with the promise of fast cash from online dating scams, identity theft, and fake investment schemes. The EFCC worries that if these trends go unchecked, Kaduna could face a workforce hooked on fraud instead of honest work, putting the future of the state’s economy at risk.

But cybercrime isn’t the only headache. Visa racketeering is gaining ground, particularly preying on vulnerable individuals desperate to travel during key periods like the Hajj pilgrimage. Fraudsters run elaborate schemes—bogus travel documents for a hefty price—leaving families in the lurch and damaging Nigeria’s reputation abroad. The EFCC says some of these operations are slick, operating under the radar with insiders forging connections at embassies and travel agencies.

Media’s Role and the Crackdown on Illegal Mining

Meanwhile, illegal mining activities are not just a problem for Kaduna but have spilled into nearby areas, including Plateau State. The stakes here are high: environmental destruction, loss of revenue for the state, and foreign involvement. The EFCC’s recent bust netted 31 suspects, including four Chinese nationals, in Jos, showing just how far the issue stretches. Mining sites are being stripped by unregistered operators who pay no taxes, ignore safety rules, and devastate local lands. Rivers get polluted, farm soil is ruined, and once-thriving communities end up grappling with poverty and food insecurity.

With so much on the line, Kaltungo is pushing for a tight partnership with the NUJ. He’s asking journalists not just to report crimes, but to run regular campaigns—radio chats, newspaper columns, social media posts—to educate the public. “Accurate, responsible reporting can make or break this fight,” he told members, stressing that rumors or unchecked facts can harm both the EFCC and public trust. He encouraged journalists to double-check their facts with the commission, which will ramp up transparency in return.

The NUJ, led by Abdulgafar Alabelewe, says they’re all in. Journalists are prepared to expose scams, shine a light on illegal mining, and join hands with authorities to cut financial crimes off at the root. The EFCC is also rolling out a slate of new tactics—more proactive digital investigations, expanding whistleblower channels, quick-response teams to mining site reports, and school-based awareness programs targeting teenagers before cybercrime looks appealing.

The Kaduna EFCC office isn’t pretending it can do it alone. By tapping the reach and influence of media professionals, the agency hopes to shift public perception—encouraging whistleblowers, deterring young people from joining criminal networks, and showing illegal miners they’re not untouchable. For the everyday resident, the message is simple: cleaner practices, stronger communities, and a future free from financial exploitation are possible if everyone—media especially—steps up to the plate.