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.
Ify Okocha
April 27, 2025 AT 19:31The EFCC’s panic is nothing more than a scapegoat for systemic failures.
William Anderson
May 4, 2025 AT 14:11One must lament the sheer melodrama of this press release.
The prose is riddled with redundancies that would make a thesaurus weep.
Moreover, the article neglects to cite any statistical source, betraying a fundamental lapse in journalistic rigor.
Such cavalier treatment of data is unbecoming of any respectable institution.
In short, the piece reads like an overblown governmental propaganda pamphlet.
Sherri Gassaway
May 11, 2025 AT 08:51When confronting the rise of cybercrime among the youth of Kaduna, one must first look beyond the surface of the headlines.
It is tempting to attribute the phenomenon solely to technological accessibility, yet the root lies deeper in an erosion of communal values.
The allure of quick money taps into a void left by insufficient educational infrastructure that fails to inspire purpose.
In many towns, the only narratives handed down are those of success via illicit means, creating a distorted moral compass.
The EFCC’s emphasis on raids and arrests, while necessary, does not address the vacuum of hope that fuels these decisions.
Historical precedent shows that punitive measures alone rarely deter entrenched behavior without parallel rehabilitation pathways.
Imagine a system where schools embed digital literacy with ethical reasoning, encouraging critical assessment of online offers.
Such curricula could be coupled with mentorship programs that showcase legitimate entrepreneurship models.
Community leaders, religious figures, and journalists together can craft stories that celebrate honest livelihoods.
These narratives must be broadcast not only through radio but also via social media platforms frequented by the youth.
When young people see tangible role models succeeding without resorting to scams, the incentive structure shifts.
Furthermore, the socioeconomic pressures of unemployment must be alleviated through targeted micro‑finance initiatives.
Access to seed capital for small businesses could transform potential fraudsters into job creators.
Equally important is the rehabilitation of those already ensnared in cybercriminal networks, offering pathways back to lawful work.
The EFCC’s outreach teams could partner with NGOs to provide vocational training and counseling.
Only by weaving preventative education with tangible economic opportunities can the cycle be broken.
Milo Cado
May 18, 2025 AT 03:31Excellent synthesis of the underlying issues; education and community storytelling are indeed powerful tools. 😊
By coupling formal curricula with real‑world success stories, we can shift aspirations away from fraud.
The EFCC’s collaboration with journalists will amplify these messages across multiple channels. 📚
Let us hope the upcoming programs receive the necessary resources and community buy‑in.
MONA RAMIDI
May 24, 2025 AT 22:11The whole thing feels like a drama starring the EFCC as the hero and the youths as clueless extras.
grace riehman
May 31, 2025 AT 16:51i think its cool that they r pulling the media in2 this fight, but we need more real talk on de ground.
people hear the news but dont see the help coming to their villages.
Vinay Upadhyay
June 7, 2025 AT 11:31Oh, how noble-another press release promising silver linings while the miners keep dumping waste.
One wonders if the EFCC will actually fund any real monitoring or just keep issuing statements.
Eve Alice Malik
June 14, 2025 AT 06:11I’m curious how the upcoming school‑based awareness programs will be structured-will they be interactive, or just lecture‑style handouts?
Debbie Billingsley
June 21, 2025 AT 00:51Patriotic citizens must stand firm; foreign actors exploiting our resources is an affront to national sovereignty. The EFCC’s decisive action is a testament to our resolve.
Patrick Van den Berghe
June 27, 2025 AT 19:31interesting move but time will tell.
Josephine Gardiner
July 4, 2025 AT 14:11While the brevity of the observation is noted, a more comprehensive analysis would elucidate the potential ramifications of such initiatives on the regional socio‑economic landscape.
Jordan Fields
July 11, 2025 AT 08:51EFCC‑media partnership is essential.
Divyaa Patel
July 18, 2025 AT 03:31One cannot overlook the dazzling irony of a clause that seeks to protect our lands while allowing clandestine extraction to persist under the veil of anonymity.
The poetic tragedy lies in the silence of the very soil that once sang of abundance.
Larry Keaton
July 24, 2025 AT 22:11Listen up, folks-this isn’t just another bureaucratic memo. The EFCC is actually gearing up to smash these illegal mining rigs, and they need every journalist’s megaphone to shout the truth.
We’re talking on‑the‑ground reporting, live streams from the mining sites, and exposing the corrupt officials who are getting a cut.
If you’re in Kaduna or nearby, grab your notebook and get out there. The more eyes on the ground, the faster we can force the government to act.
Let’s make some noise and show they can’t hide behind paperwork any longer.
Liliana Carranza
July 31, 2025 AT 16:51That’s the spirit! 🚀 Your energy will light up the whole community, and together we’ll turn the tide against those greedy miners. Keep the fire burning!
Jeff Byrd
August 7, 2025 AT 11:31Sure, let’s all hope the EFCC remembers to file the paperwork before the next election.
Joel Watson
August 14, 2025 AT 06:11While the observation carries a veneer of skepticism, it fails to acknowledge the nuanced legal frameworks that govern such operations. A more measured critique would consider the procedural safeguards already in place.
Chirag P
August 21, 2025 AT 00:51Ultimately, sustained collaboration between law enforcement, media, and civil society will determine whether Kaduna can curb cyber fraud and illegal mining for good.