The Lagos State Police Command has dismantled an illegal internet fraud training center, commonly known as a “Yahoo School,” operating in the Iju area. The operation resulted in the arrest of ten individuals, including four suspected masterminds and six trainees.
The police apprehended Chibuike Ihejika (22), Stanley Ihejika (22), Obiora Onyedibe (26), and Emmanuel Onyedibe (25), identified as the “Yahoo experts” running the facility. The six trainees, Okorie Henry (20), Otoh Chisom (26), Okeke Kwufrochikwu (26), Uchenna Obeji (12), Minachi Udochukwu (23), and Chinedu Ukachukwu, were caught while receiving instruction in cybercrime and fraud.
According to the police, the principal suspects recruited their trainees from Anambra State and coerced them into committing internet fraud and related crimes, confiscating the proceeds. All suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba for further investigation and prosecution.
Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin stated that efforts are underway to apprehend the sponsors who financed the trainees’ enrollment and the owner of the facility. He urged the facility owner to surrender to the SCID in Yaba immediately.
The Lagos State Police Command has pledged to charge all suspects to court upon the completion of their investigation. Hundeyin also noted that the underage trainee, who exhibited signs of physical abuse allegedly inflicted by the principal suspects, is receiving medical treatment and is in protective custody until his family can be located.
