The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a warning to the public about a planned protest by a shadowy group. The EFCC claims this group is trying to recruit young Nigerians, including students, to protest against the Commission.
In recent days, the group has been active on social media, urging people to resist the EFCC’s enforcement of cybercrime laws. The EFCC is concerned that corrupt individuals under investigation or prosecution are behind this campaign, aiming to provoke a national uprising that could threaten Nigeria’s peace and security.
Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, in a press statement said, “In the last couple of days, the group has been actively campaigning in the social media, recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students to take up ‘arms’ against the EFCC.
“This insidious campaign is being promoted as resistance to the operational activities of the Commission especially in respect of the enforcement of the laws dealing with cybercrimes.
“The Commission, while not averse to protests by citizens, is alarmed by emerging evidence that suggest a grand design by corrupt elements under investigation or prosecution by the Commission to exploit the so-called protest to orchestrate a national uprising that may threaten the peace and security of our dear nation.
“As a responsible law enforcement organisation, the Commission will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order anywhere in the country especially around its office locations across Nigeria.”
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The Commission, in collaboration with other security agencies, is taking steps to address any potential threats. The EFCC also urged parents, guardians, and heads of tertiary institutions to ensure that their children and students are not used as pawns in a proxy war against the Commission.
Oyewale added, “EFCC, working in concert with sister security agencies, is therefore taking necessary measures to deal with possible threats to the peace and security of Nigeria.
“The Commission, however, appeals to parents, guardians and heads of tertiary institutions to take responsibility in ensuring that their wards are not recruited to be used as cannon fodder in a proxy war against the Commission by vested corrupt interests.
“The war being waged by the Commission against corruption and cybercrime is to protect the future of the youth of this country. That future is imperiled if Nigeria degenerates further in global reckoning as a den of fraudsters.”