Police Raid Yahoo Institute, Arrest 10 in Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 10 suspects, including four alleged “Yahoo” experts, who were running a notorious school in the Iju area of the state.
The school, which was raided by police, was found to be training young people in cybercrime and fraud.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the principal suspects – Chibuike Ihejika, 23; Stanley Ihejika, 22; Obiora Oyediba, 26; and Emmanuel Oyedibe, 25 – recruited their trainees from Anambra State and engaged them in internet fraud and other related crimes. The proceeds from their fraudulent activities were confiscated by the principal suspects.
The other six suspects, who were undergoing training, were identified as Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom, 20; Okeke Kwuforochikwu, 26; Uchenna Obeji, 26; Minachi Udochukwu, 12; and Chinedu Ukachukwu, 23. All suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further investigation and prosecution.
The police are still on the hunt for the sponsors who financed the trainees’ enrollment in the school, as well as the owner of the facility. The owner has been warned to turn himself in immediately, and the police have assured that all suspects will be charged to court for prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigation.
One of the suspects, 12-year-old Munachi Udochukwu, was found with healing marks of injuries allegedly inflicted on him by the main principal suspect to compel him into committing criminal acts. The young boy is being given medical attention and kept in protective custody until his relatives are identified and reunited with him.
The Lagos State Police Command has urged parents and guardians to monitor their children’s activities to prevent them from being exploited or lured into criminal activities. The command has also encouraged members of the public who have fallen victim to the fraudulent activities of this criminal syndicate to come forward with their complaints.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has commended the police personnel involved in the operation for their dedication and professionalism, and assured Lagosians that the command remains committed to combating all forms of crimes and criminalities, including cybercrime. He urged residents to report any suspicious activity or incident to the police for prompt action.
